In the case of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, several victim lawyers have asked British Prince Andrew for comprehensive testimony. "He should volunteer to work with the detainees without condition and without delay," US Attorney Gloria Allred told the BBC on Wednesday night. Shortly before, the prince had informed him that he would temporarily resign from all public duties as a member of the royal family.
Andrew had also announced that he would "help all the investigative authorities", but with the restriction "if necessary" provided. Allred demanded that Andrew should not only testify against possible accomplices in Epstein's criminal investigations, but also provide his testimony in civil law suits.
Attorney Lisa Bloom hinted that she could try to force Andrews to testify. If Andrew refused, there could be a "diplomatic situation" between Britain and the US, she told the BBC, adding, "I hope it does not come to that."
"We think that nobody is above the law"
Anyone who can provide relevant evidence on the case needs to be interviewed - and Prince Andrew "clearly has pertinent information," Bloom said. It is known that the prince "had numerous contacts with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell". Therefore, he should not only be questioned by the investigators, but also by the victims' lawyers. "We think that nobody is above the law."
Allred and Bloom are mother and daughter. The two have made a name in the US as victim lawyers for women.
Many companies and institutions had moved away from Prince Andrew, after he had expressed in a television interview, a word of sympathy with the victims of Epstein and had not convincingly distanced himself from the US entrepreneur. In a written statement, Andrew later expressed his "unequivocal regret" over his "careless connection" with Epstein, and expressed his sympathy to "all concerned".
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Virginia Roberts, who was said to have been forced by Epstein to prostitution, but claims to have been forced several times to sex with the Royal. Andrew vehemently rejects that
Attorney Bloom noted the difference between this written statement and the Prince's television interview broadcast on Saturday. While the text was probably set up with the help of counselors, in the interview he showed "for almost an hour no sympathy with the victims". His answers have "lacked all credibility".
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Epstein died early in August in a New York prison. He was accused of abusing and forcing dozens of minor women into prostitution. For many years Andrew was a friend of the US multimillionaire and a regular guest on his estate. Nevertheless, he does not want to hear about the abuse.
One of the Epstein victims, Virginia Roberts, claims to have been forced to sex with the Royal several times. Andrew vehemently rejects that.
Read a commentary on the retreat of Prince Andrew: "Better without him"
