The Queen’s second son is being sued by Virginia Giuffre,an alleged victim of the late billionaire paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York has appointed a US-based lawyer but it is understood that no one from his legal team will participate in a court-ordered telephone conference.
The Prince’s lawyers have raised the possibility of challenging a US court’s jurisdiction in the case filed by Virginia Giuffre,a longtime accuser of the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York was served with papers at the Royal Lodge,Windsor on the morning of August 27,according to a witness statement filed in Manhattan federal court.
The lawyer for Prince Andrew’s accuser says the Duke’s legal team is “stonewalling” and made clear that wherever he is,they will find him.
The Duke of York can no longer ignore Virginia Roberts Giuffre and her accusations.
Members of the Royal family,including the Prince Charles,fear the damage his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein has caused to the monarchy is already too great.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s lawyer said his team was preparing to present fresh testimony that would throw further doubt on the prince’s account.
The monarchy is much bigger than Andrew and it won’t hesitate to drive a stake through him should events in a New York courtroom spiral out of control.
“I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me,” said Virginia Giuffre in a statement filed in a lawsuit in Manhattan federal court.
The head of a fund providing restitution to victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual abuses says she has finished the claims process,and awarded nearly $US125 million ($170 million) to about 150 eligible claimants.