Virginia Giuffre has praised a court ruling that allows her sexual assault civil lawsuit against the Duke of York to go to trial, saying she will 'continue to expose the truth'. Writing on Twitter, she expressed her delight at the decision and thanked her legal team for their determination.
The 38-year-old alleges she was trafficked by the financier Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with powerful men, including Prince Andrew, when she was 17. The Duke has consistently denied the claims. Judge Lewis Kaplan rejected a motion from the Duke's lawyers to have the case dismissed, ruling that Giuffre had not waived her right to sue by signing a settlement with Epstein in 2009.
The ruling comes after the Queen stripped Prince Andrew of his military affiliations and royal patronages, and Buckingham Palace announced he would no longer use the HRH style in any official capacity. This marks a complete removal from official royal life amid the ongoing legal battle.
Legal experts say the Duke now faces stark choices: settle out of court, which could be costly and may not be accepted by Giuffre, or contest the case and give a deposition under oath. He could also appeal or default, but each option carries significant risks.
Giuffre's lawyer, David Boies, said after the ruling that it is important for his client to have a resolution that vindicates her and other victims, and that she is unlikely to accept a purely financial settlement.
