It’s fascinating to see how quickly stories about Prince Andrew – genuine exclusives, with real “reporting” – are getting buried by the British papers. While the stories are published, they rarely make it to the “trending” or “top stories” tabs. People might even have to Google “Prince Andrew” to actually find the top stories about him. Speaking of, Reuters (via The Independent) confirmed with American federal prosecutors that Andrew is a “person of interest” in the still-ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation. While Ghislaine Maxwell’s trial starts in a few months, there are still multiple avenues of investigation, especially if and when Maxwell begins to name names. Prosecutors still want to interview Prince Andrew and he is, at best, a “potential witness.” A source in the office of the US Attorney SDNY told Reuters: “He doesn’t seem to want to talk to us.” It’s true. He thinks he can just issue a statement to the SDNY and that’s that. Meanwhile, would it surprise you to learn that Andrew is having a jolly old time at Balmoral?
Prince Andrew is to keep silent about the sex allegations against him and is said to be relaxed about the lawsuit he faces. The Duke of York, 61, “has no intention” of changing course and is not sweating on Virginia Giuffre’s civil action launched last week, a pal says.
The friend in London said: “He has been cheerful and relaxed at Balmoral. His legal team always expected this and have prepared. They advised the Duke to keep calm and carry on and he is taking their advice.”
Virginia, 38, claims Andrew sexually abused her three times when she was under age, which he vehemently denies. Andrew, who told the BBC’s Newsnight that he could not have been “sweating profusely” while with her — as has been claimed — due to a medical condition, has two weeks to respond to the complaint. Questions have been asked about his legal strategy, with Princes Charles and William said to fear damage to the monarchy. Royal sources called the response by Andrew’s team a “s***-show”.
But the pal said: “The legal process could go on for years but that’s not his fault. He will respond if required to by law, as he has always said. His lawyers saw what happened with the Newsnight interview and think it’s best he says as little as possible.”
[From The Sun]
I actually believe that Andrew has been cheerful and relaxed. This is man who knows that mummy will come to his rescue no matter what. He’s probably having a grand old time with mummy and Fergie and Eugenie. I kind of doubt there are even really “crisis talks” happening within the family. Now, the courtiers might be having crisis talks. The lawyers might be having crisis talks too! Speaking of, someone leaked Andrew’s legal strategy:
Prince Andrew’s legal team could try to get sex abuse allegations against him by a victim of Jeffrey Epstein thrown out of court by saying he had diplomatic immunity because he was a trade envoy at the time, it has been claimed. Top US lawyer Spencer Kuvin suggested that Andrew’s legal team may claim the Duke of York – who was a trade envoy in 2001, when Virginia Giuffre alleges that he raped and sexually abused her – had immunity in America.
The Duke held the role of ‘special representative for international trade and investment’ for the UK for a decade from 2001 until 2011, after taking it up when he left active military service in the Royal Navy. This means Andrew could be protected under the 1978 Diplomatic Relations Act in the US because he was working for the UK Government in America at the time – and not because he is a member of the Royal Family.
The case alleges that he sexually abused Ms Giuffre – then known as Virginia Roberts – at Epstein’s properties in New York and the US Virgin Islands, and at the home of Epstein’s girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell in London.
Mr Kuvin told the Mirror: ‘Ms Giuffre’s lawyers have huge barriers to overcome to get her lawsuit anywhere near a jury. If the Duke engages in the case at all, his legal team will undoubtedly file a motion to dismiss the complaint on numerous different grounds. For sure, they would argue diplomatic immunity. They would have a strong case.’
[From The Daily Mail]
Is this really a strong defense? I think it’s A defense and one which Andrew’s team will probably try to use. Andrew was “trade envoy” from 2001 through 2011, and those were the “Air Miles Andy” years, where he did f–k all but travel around on private jets and party with rich people, all while billing British taxpayers. Does he really want to use that as his defense?
Photos courtesy of Backgrid, Avalon Red.
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