21 July 2023 , 13:23
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Prince Andrew's meetings and contact with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein have been evidenced in newly released court documents.
They suggest the Duke of York visited Epstein while the paedophile was under house arrest for sex offences.
The evidence in the papers appearst to contradict the Prince's Newsnight claims to Emily Mailtis in 2019 that he only saw the tycoon once since he left jail, in December 2010.
The evidence suggests the Duke met the sick tycoon while he was still under house arrest at his Florida home for a sex offence.
Andrew claimed in his Newsnight interview that he only met Epstein once, in December 2010, after his 2008 13-month jail sentence had ended.
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The Prince told host Emily Maitlis he went to see the late financier in New York purely to break off his friendship with him.
Court documents which show on June 14, 2010, Epstein writes to Stanley: "Andrew just sat next to me at dinner. We will try to connect this week. Any word on M? This fun."But according to the evidence in the court papers, the pair had dinner in June that year while the Epstein was under a 12-month house arrest order and they had kept in touch.
Evidence filed in a civil case brought by the US Virgin Islands government against JP Morgan in New York refers to the billionaire’s meeting with the Duke. A series of emails written by Epstein to the banking giant’s then-CEO Jes Staley suggest he acted as an intermediary between the two men.
In one, sent on June 14, 2010, the tycoon told the banker: “Andrew just sat next to me at dinner. We will try to connect this week. Any word on M? This is fun.” It is not known who or what M is.
Epstein had been in jail for soliciting a minor for prostitution. He was investigated by Florida police in 2006.
Prince Andrew speaks with journalist Emily Maitlis (PA)According to the evidence, Andrew had contacted Epstein three months earlier.
They state: “On April 15, 2010, Epstein wrote to Prince Andrew the Duke of York [redacted word] ‘jes staley will be in London on Thurs the 22. I think you should meet if you are in town’.
“Prince Andrew replies that he is unavailable but will look to visit New York in the near future.”
US Virgin Islands attorneys allege JP Morgan was “complicit in the crimes of Jeffrey Epstein,” claiming the sex predator gave officials money, advice and favours in exchange for looking the other way when he trafficked young women to be abused on his island getaway.
According to a court filing, the Virgin Islands is seeking at least £145million in damages from the bank over its ties to the pervert, who kept money there from 1998 to 2013.
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Jeffrey Epstein's waterfront Palm Beach home is at the end of an ungated, palm tree lined street, called El Brillo Way (Tribune News Service via Getty Images)In a counterclaim, the bank accuses the territory’s officials of taking money and favours from Epstein in return for looking the other way.
Epstein, who had a relationship with British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, killed himself in jail while awaiting underage sex charges in August 2019. Maxwell, 61, was jailed for 20 years last year for procuring teenage girls for him to abuse.
In the Newsnight interview, Maitlis asked Andrew: “In 2008, he [Epstein] was convicted of soliciting and procuring a minor for prostitution, and he was jailed. This was your friend, how did you feel about it?”
The royal replied: “Well, I ceased contact with him after I was aware that he was under investigation, and that was later in 2006, and I wasn’t in touch with him again until 2010.”
Maitlis added: “So, no contact?” Dad-of-two responded: “No contact.” Asking about the Duke’s New York visit Epstein in December 2010, Maitlis said: “Was that the only time you saw him after he was convicted?”
Andrew replied: “Yes, yeah.” Pressing him further, she asked: “Did you see him or speak to him again?” The duke replied, “No”. Maitlis: “Never since then?” Prince: “No.”
Andrew was accused by Epstein’s “teenage sex” slave Giuffre of sleeping with her in the UK and America when she was a teenager.
The Duke and his legal team vehemently denied her claims. Andrew paid her a reported £5million in March 2022 while accepting no liability.
Andrew, 63, has still not spoken with FBI agents probing Epstein’s abuse and those who enabled him.
Evidence suggests Prince Andrew met Epstein while he was under house arrest (PA)Spencer Kuvin, an attorney for three of Epstein’s victims, added: “As an advocate for the victims of Epstein, I am deeply disgusted by the behaviour of Andrew.
“His actions have shown a complete disregard for the victims and a complete lack of decency.
“His actions have brought a embarrassment upon the royals.
“The King should seek to distance himself further from his brother.”
Prince Andrew has been approached for comment.