A woman who claims she was brought to the United Kingdom by the late convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity with Prince Andrew has stated she will never cooperate with law enforcement authorities. The individual, who has not been publicly identified, alleges she spent a night with the Duke of York at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Legal representative confirms decision
On Saturday evening, Bradley Edwards, an American attorney representing the woman, disclosed to The Mail on Sunday that his client does not wish to "risk losing her privacy" by submitting a formal complaint to detectives. Edwards, who has represented over 200 alleged victims of Epstein, revealed in February that the woman, then in her twenties, claimed she was given a guided tour of Buckingham Palace and served tea after her encounter with Prince Andrew.
This allegation echoes previous claims made by Virginia Giuffre, another Epstein abuse victim, who stated she was brought to London in 2001 at the age of 17 to have sex with the prince. Last week, it emerged that while detectives had spoken to Edwards, the woman had not formally reported her allegations nor been interviewed by police.
Reasons for not pursuing complaint
Edwards has now confirmed that his client has resolved not to pursue a criminal complaint, attributing this decision to the unwanted attention the case has generated. He told The Mail on Sunday: "She, and we as her representatives, are continuously harassed over the Prince Andrew thing, more than she or we have ever been over Epstein. She does not want to risk losing her privacy even more."
This development comes amid reports that Thames Valley Police are encountering difficulties in building a case against Prince Andrew, who was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Last week, detectives issued an unprecedented public appeal for potential "victim survivors" to come forward, emphasising that misconduct in public office is a complex offence that can encompass corruption and sexual misconduct.
Police appeal and legal protections
A police source informed The Times: "They are struggling to get the evidence they need, which is why they've broadened their appeal." Officers have assured that if the woman who was allegedly "taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes" makes a complaint, it will be "taken seriously and handled with care, sensitivity and respect for her privacy and her right for anonymity." The force added: "We recognise how difficult it can be to speak about experiences of this nature, and any contact with police will be led by her wishes."
Under UK law, individuals alleging they are victims of rape or other serious sexual offences are granted lifelong anonymity, and it is a criminal offence to publish any information that might lead to their identification.
Additional allegations under investigation
Further reports indicate that investigators are examining another alleged incident involving the former prince at Royal Ascot. Thames Valley detectives are looking into a claim that Prince Andrew behaved inappropriately towards a woman at the Berkshire racing festival in 2002, an event attended by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. The prince was photographed at the meeting, held near his former residence at Sunninghill Park, alongside his daughter Princess Beatrice and the then Prince Charles.
The Sunday Times reported that it remains unclear whether the claim about Prince Andrew's alleged conduct at Ascot was reported to authorities at the time or more recently. He was arrested on his 66th birthday following the release of emails from the Epstein files suggesting that while serving as the UK's trade envoy, he forwarded confidential information to financier Epstein.
It is understood that Thames Valley Police's investigation into Prince Andrew is being resourced at a level comparable to a major crime probe, such as a murder investigation, with specialist sexual offence investigators forming part of the team.
