Andrew 'just wanted out and changed mind on $12m settlement to avoid trial'
A lawyer has said that disgraced royal Prince Andrew changed his mind in less than a week to reach a deal in his case with sex accuser Virginia Giuffre because he "just wanted out."
Attorney for Ms Giuffre, David Boies, said the reported settled sum of $12million (£9.95million) in February 2022 caused the Duke of York "substantial discomfort."
Ms Giuffre claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew when she was 17 and called Virginia Roberts, and a victim of his billionaire-paedophile former friend Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of York has always denied the claims and did not admit to wrongdoing.
Mr Boies told the Daily Mail: "Prince Andrew just wanted out. He was realistic enough not to have any demands."
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Explaining an agreement was made over a series of zoom meetings, he added: "He just wanted to pay not very much money and didn't want to acknowledge Virginia or what he'd done and what his position was that Virginia had made all this up and wasn't really a victim.
"He claimed he didn't know anything about Epstein's sex trafficking and had nothing to apologise for."
David Boies with Virginia Giuffre (both centre) (Bloomberg via Getty Images)When the settlement was announced, Andrew praised Ms Giuffre's "bravery" in a statement and insisted he "never intended to malign" her "character."
The lawyer said the Duke likely changed his mind after a series of legal challenges.
He said that Andrew went from "stonewalling" Roberts' team before reaching a deal in just "four or five days."
Andrew was unsuccessful in his motion to dismiss and was ordered by a judge to sit for a deposition.
"Stumbling blocks" appeared in the negotiations in the form of an acceptable statement from the duke, as well as a large financial settlement.
'There had to be a substantial amount of money and there had to be an acceptable statement from Prince Andrew,' Boies said (BBC)The lawyer's comments come amid reports Andrew is hoping for a way back to royal life, after the accusations against him forced the Queen to make him take a step back from royal duties.
His mother stripped him of his military affiliations and royal patronages.
Mr Boies also said Andrew should avoid doing another TV interview like his disastrous talk with BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis in 2019.
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A document submitted to a US court in February last year said: "Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out-of-court settlement.
"The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre's receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not being disclosed).
"Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms. Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights.
"Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffre's character, and he accepts that she has suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks.
Boies said he believes there is a way back for Andrew (Bloomberg via Getty Images)"It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years. Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others.
"He pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims."
Mr Boies said he believes Andrew may be able to rebuild his reputation despite the 2022 settlement, and a memoir may help that - but a TV interview would not.
But religious Mr Boies added that redemtion has to begin with the admission of sin, and Andrew has so far not been inclined to do that,
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