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Virginia Giuffre sues Prince Andrew for alleged sexual abuse

Giuffre says Andrew abused her at Jeffrey Epstein and Maxwell Ghislaine’s invitation

prince-andrew-ap File photo of Prince Andrew | AP

Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of the most prominent and outspoken survivors of the sex trafficking ring that was operated by convicted sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein, has filed a civil suit against Prince Andrew in the US, accusing him of sexually assaulting her when she was a minor.

Giuffre’s civil suit was anticipated as she had earlier publicly stated that she had been forced to perform sexual acts with Andrew while being trafficked by Epstein when she was underage. A much-circulated photograph of her with Andrew added to her claims. However, Buckingham Palace in December 2019 denied that “The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.”

Months later, Prince Andrew stepped down from public duties, following a hugely controversial televised interview where he denied having any sexual misconduct.

Giuffre had earlier accused Andrew of having sex with her thrice when she was 17, though Andrew had claimed he had “no recollection” of meeting her.

The civil lawsuit in the US was brought under the Child Victims Act. "I am holding Prince Andrew accountable for what he did to me," she said in a statement.

"The powerful and rich are not exempt from being held responsible for their actions. I hope that other victims will see that it is possible not to live in silence and fear, but to reclaim one's life by speaking out and demanding justice.”

"I did not come to this decision lightly," she added. "As a mother and a wife, my family comes first — and I know that this action will subject me to further attacks by Prince Andrew and his surrogates — but I knew if I did not pursue this action, I would be letting them and victims everywhere down."

Her lawsuit alleges that the prince sexually abused her in Maxwell’s house in London as well as in Epstein’s mansion in New York and also in Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands. She alleges that she was coerced into doing so by Epstein, Maxwell and Andrew, charging that she “feared death or physical injury to herself and other repercussions” for disobeying.

Epstein had killed himself in prison in Manhattan in August, a month after being arrested on sex trafficking charges and a day after 2,000 pages of incriminating documents were released as part of Giuffre’s defamation lawsuit against Maxwell.

Maxwell, who was arrested in July last year, had pleaded not guilty to sex trafficking charges, and faces trial in November.

Manhattan federal prosecutors have formally requested to speak with Andrew, making a request under teh Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty between the US and UK.

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