Newly released files from the Jeffrey Epstein case appear to show Prince Andrew asking Ghislaine Maxwell to arrange meetings with 'inappropriate friends' while she sought 'friendly and discreet and fun' girls on his behalf. The documents, part of the largest release yet of Epstein files, include emails from 2001 and 2002 that identify the author as 'A' and appear to be from the prince.
In one email on 16 August 2001, 'A' writes: 'Have you found me some new inappropriate friends?' Maxwell responds the next day: 'So sorry to disappoint you. However, the truth must be told. I have only been able to find appropriate friends.' The same exchange mentions 'A' leaving the 'RN' (Royal Navy) that year and refers to the death of a valet who had served him since childhood.
Further emails in February and March 2002 relate to a trip to Peru. Maxwell forwards correspondence about setting up meetings with 'girls', and writes: 'I just gave Andrew your telephone no.' The reply from 'A' says: 'I will ring him today if I can.' Maxwell asks for help arranging 'two-legged sight-seeing' with 'intelligent pretty fun' girls from 'good families' to make Andrew 'very happy', adding: 'I know I can rely on you to show him a wonderful time and that you will only introduce him to friends that you can trust and rely on to be friendly and discreet and fun.' Photographs show Andrew on an official visit to Peru soon after.
Other disclosures in the US Department of Justice release include that the FBI sought to question Andrew about his links to millionaire sex offender Peter Nygard, and that Britain's Metropolitan Police contacted the FBI last month to inquire about any ongoing investigations related to Andrew's association with Epstein. Emails also show US lawyers claiming 'various factual inaccuracies' in a statement provided on Andrew's behalf during the Epstein investigation. Multiple references to Donald Trump appear, including a claim by a senior US attorney that Trump was on a flight with Epstein and a 20-year-old woman; Trump has denied wrongdoing.
Andrew has consistently denied allegations about his relationship with Epstein. In October he said: 'I vigorously deny the accusations against me.' He has since been stripped of his royal titles and has moved out of the Royal Lodge. The new documents also include emails where the correspondent signs off as 'The Invisible Man' and writes from Balmoral, with some redactions found to be removable through basic computer techniques.
