Buckingham Palace has declined to comment after a US judge ruled that Virginia Giuffre's sexual abuse lawsuit against Prince Andrew can proceed. Judge Lewis Kaplan dismissed the Duke of York's bid to have the civil case thrown out in a ruling issued on Wednesday.
A Palace spokesperson told The Independent: “We would not comment on what is an ongoing legal matter.” The decision allows Ms Giuffre's legal team to move into the discovery phase, which could cause further embarrassment for the prince and the royal family.
Ms Giuffre alleges that Jeffrey Epstein forced her to have sex with his friends, including Prince Andrew, when she was 17. She is suing the duke for battery and infliction of emotional distress. Andrew, 61, strongly denies the allegations.
In oral arguments last week, Andrew's lawyer Andrew Brettler argued that a 2009 settlement between Epstein and Ms Giuffre should shield the prince from liability. However, Judge Kaplan ruled that the settlement's reference to “other potential defendants” did not clearly cover Prince Andrew.
Prince Andrew now faces the prospect of having private records examined, giving a deposition under oath, and potentially having other royal family members and police protection officers called to testify. Judge Kaplan has indicated a trial could be held in New York in late 2022.
