Scotland Yard could assess sexual assault claims in opposition to Prince Andrew

Scotland Yard final evening mentioned it could not rule out investigating sexual assault claims in opposition to Prince Andrew.

As household rallied across the King’s brother at his Windsor mansion, Met chiefs mentioned detectives would assess any ‘new and relevant’ data.

Anti-monarchy group Republic reported Andrew to police on Thursday after newly-released authorized paperwork thrust his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein again into the highlight.

The court docket recordsdata contained claims that the prince knew of Epstein’s intercourse trafficking, dedicated ‘acts of sexual abuse’ and took half in an ‘underage orgy’. He has vehemently and repeatedly denied all allegations in opposition to him.

But stress mounted on the Yard to behave after each Keir Starmer and Rishi Sunak have been placed on the spot over the claims. Sir Keir, who’s a former head of the Crown Prosecution Service, informed LBC Radio that ‘credible’ accusations needs to be investigated whoever they relate to. 

Prince Andrew pictured strolling with Jeffrey Epstein in New York’s Central Park in 2011 

Prince Andrew was final seen publicly at Sandringham on Christmas Day 2023

Virginia Giuffre (centre) photographed with Prince Andrew (left) and Ghislaine Maxwell within the latter’s London mews residence in early 2001

The Labour chief added: ‘I’ve seen the headlines on this, not the element, however, frankly, whoever it’s, the place there are credible allegations made, then after all they need to be checked out.

Mr Sunak mentioned it could not be proper for him to touch upon police issues and harassed that the police have ‘operational independence’ from politicians.

The Yard, which mentioned that it had not launched an investigation, was final evening accused by the chief govt of Republic of defending Andrew. Graham Smith mentioned: ‘I am writing to the Commissioner Mark Rowley to raise these questions and ask why the Met appears to be protecting the royals from potential prosecution.’

As the furore across the late Queen’s son, who continues to be eighth in line to the throne and a counsellor of state with authorized powers to step in for the King, confirmed no signal of abating, additional paperwork have been launched within the US.

One claimed Andrew ‘has knowledge of Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein’s sexual trafficking conduction and interplay with beneath age minors, together with Virginia Giuffre’ – his principal accuser.

In the paperwork Ms Giuffre – identified on the time as Virginia Roberts – additionally makes clear that she plans to subpoena Buckingham Palace to acquire information of the prince’s home and worldwide travels between 1999 and 2002 with a purpose to show her case.

This included journey between New York City and the Caribbean, the place Epstein had properties and Ms Giuffre alleges she was compelled to have intercourse with Andrew.

She additionally claims she was trafficked to the London residence of the billionaire financier’s girlfriend, Maxwell, and compelled to sleep with the prince there.

A transcript of Maxwell’s authorized deposition final evening heaped contemporary embarrassment on the duke because the disgraced socialite’s excruciating testimony was laid naked.

Jeffrey Epstein pictured with Ghislaine Maxwell within the early 2000s

Maxwell says she had identified the prince for ‘a very long time’ however denies that she launched him to paedophile Epstein.

She can be requested: ‘Did you ever introduce Prince Andrew to any girls under the age of 18 who were not friends of your children?’

She additionally denies this. Maxwell maintains that she has ‘no recollection’ of Andrew being at her London residence concurrently Ms Giuffre – however confirms Andrew is seen in {a photograph} apparently of the three of them collectively. Maxwell can be quizzed over allegations the duke used a Spitting Image puppet to grope Ms Giuffre, whereas he positioned his arms on one other lady’s breasts.

As of final evening Andrew had nonetheless not responded to the most recent revelations, however his daughter, Princess Beatrice, was seen driving into Royal Lodge, which he shares together with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.

The Mail revealed yesterday that the King intends to proceed his efforts to drive his brother to surrender the ten-bedroom mansion in favour of a extra modest property on the Windsor property.

A supply informed the paper that the discharge of the court docket paperwork ‘crystallised’ the truth that there was ‘no way back’ for Charles’s youthful brother.

Buckingham Palace say they not communicate for the duke as a result of he isn’t a working member of the Royal Family, having been stripped of his public duties and barred from utilizing his HRH title within the wake of a disastrous BBC Newsnight interview.

Dai Davies, a former head of royalty safety and retired chief superintendent, final evening known as on Scotland Yard to interview Andrew beneath warning. He mentioned: ‘He should be interviewed by officers and if there is any evidence of a crime, interviewed under caution. It is an obscene failure by the Metropolitan Police not to instigate an investigation.’

The Yard has regarded on the allegations made in opposition to Andrew at the least twice.

In 2021, certainly one of its most senior officers, Commander Alexis Boon, was tasked with reviewing claims made by Ms Giuffre in her civil lawsuit. Detectives are understood to have contacted her straight however determined to take no additional motion.

In 2016 the Met concluded that it was not the suitable authority to analyze human trafficking allegations referring to Andrew as a result of any probe ‘would be largely focused on activities and relationships outside the UK’.

A spokesman mentioned yesterday: ‘We are aware of the release of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. As with any matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention we will assess it. No investigation has been launched.’

Maxwell was jailed for 20 years in July 2020 for her half in serving to Epstein to abuse dozens of girls and ladies.

She has launched an attraction, scheduled to be heard in November subsequent yr.

The newly-released paperwork kind a part of a 2015 case introduced in opposition to Maxwell by Ms Giuffre which may now be made public. They include well-known names together with that of late physicist Stephen Hawking.