Yahoo Sports Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre ‘did not want to give evidence in public’, says Epstein victim lawyer
Neither Prince Andrew or Virginia Giuffre wanted to give evidence in public, a lawyer representing Jeffery Epstein’s victims claimed on Wednesday.
Top US attorney Gloria Allred said being questioned on the stand was “not a comfortable experience” for victims or defendants.
She added that the court of public opinion will now draw its own conclusions about the accusations made against the Duke of York.
Ms Allred, who represents many of the victims of sex offender Epstein, told Times Radio: “Are we now going to ever know the truth of what Prince Andrew did or did not do?
“I assume that people are probably going to believe whatever they believed before this settlement, and before they heard any testimony under oath because there’s been none so far. At least in this case.
“The people will draw their own conclusions in the court of public opinion, but it’s not going to happen in a court of law.”
She made the claim against the Duke of York for damages in the US, alleging she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with the royal when she was 17.
Prince Andrew, who is the third child of the Queen and ninth in line to the throne, made no admission of liability in the settlement and has always denied the allegations.
Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.
Ms Giuffre said part of the abuse she suffered was being lent out to powerful men for sexual favours, including Prince Andrew.
There are now calls for clarity over the Royal’s role in public life, his military titles and information about how he will fund the financial settlement, estimated to be more than £10million.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said, on Wednesday, the Duke still deserved “recognition” for his military service during the Falklands war.
York Central’s Labour MP Rachael Maskell said, however, Andrew’s association with the city must be removed in light of the settlement.
Ms Maskell welcomed his pledge to donate money to Ms Giuffre’s charity which supports victims, but said his relationship with Epstein has caused “deep hurt and embarrassment” to York residents.
She said: “Although it is a relief that Prince Andrew has finally acknowledged and expressed regret for his close association with a convicted sex offender and sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, his long delay in doing so and initial response to the charges and Ms Giuffre have been source of deep hurt and embarrassment to many people across the city.
“Carrying a title does create an ambassadorial relationship with that place, and for somewhere with a global reputation, such as York, this is extremely important.
