US prosecutors have accused the Duke of York of providing “zero” cooperation in the investigation into the sex-trafficking network of Jeffrey Epstein. Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney for the southern district of New York, said that despite earlier promises to assist, Prince Andrew has not agreed to an interview.
Speaking outside Epstein’s Manhattan mansion, Mr Berman confirmed that the prince had been contacted but had not responded. No attempt will be made to compel his testimony, leaving the possibility that he will never answer questions about his relationship with the disgraced financier.
Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in November after a heavily criticised BBC interview about his friendship with Epstein. At the time, he said he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations”. However, Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, stating that the matter is being dealt with by his legal team.
Mr Berman also confirmed that the investigation is looking at potential co-conspirators, adding: “Jeffrey Epstein couldn’t have done what he did without the assistance of others.” The US attorney general William Barr previously vowed that the case would continue, warning that “any co-conspirators should not rest easy”.
One of Epstein’s accusers, Virginia Giuffre, has alleged she was instructed to have sex with Prince Andrew in 2001, when she was 17. The prince has denied the claim, saying he has “no recollection” of meeting her. The Home Office has declined to comment on any formal US request to interview or extradite the duke.
