The release of court documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has dealt another blow to the Duke of York's efforts to restore his public image. The papers, unsealed on the order of a US judge, contain fresh details of allegations against Prince Andrew, including claims of groping and underage sexual relations.
In a witness statement, Johanna Sjoberg alleged that Andrew groped her breast at Epstein's New York home in 2001. She said Maxwell showed them a puppet of the prince, and a photo was taken with the puppet's hand on Virginia Giuffre's breast and Andrew's hand on Sjoberg's breast. Buckingham Palace previously described these claims as 'categorically untrue'.
Another filing, concerning Jane Doe #3 believed to be Giuffre, alleges she was forced to have sex with Andrew as a minor in London, New York, and on Epstein's private island. Giuffre has said she was trafficked by Epstein and Maxwell and forced to have sex with Andrew at 17. Andrew has consistently denied these allegations.
The documents also reveal Ghislaine Maxwell's anxiety about her links to Andrew. In a 2015 email, she expressed fear of lawsuits and mentioned questions about her relationship with Clinton and Andrew. In her deposition, Maxwell claimed there were no underage girls on Epstein's island when Andrew visited, only female staff.
Andrew has denied wrongdoing, including in his 2022 settlement with Giuffre, where he regretted his association with Epstein. Republic, a campaign group, has reported the prince to the police over the allegations, criticising the lack of a serious criminal investigation.
