The release of court documents relating to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has further damaged the Duke of York's hopes of restoring his public image. The papers, unsealed on the order of a US judge, contain fresh allegations of sexual misconduct against Prince Andrew, including claims of groping and underage sex.
In a witness statement from Johanna Sjoberg, she alleges that Andrew groped her breast at Epstein's New York home in 2001. Ms Sjoberg, then aged 20, claimed that a photo was taken in which she sat on Andrew's lap while the prince put his hand on her breast. Buckingham Palace has previously described these allegations as “categorically untrue”.
A separate filing, concerning a woman identified as Jane Doe #3 and believed to be Virginia Giuffre, alleges she was forced to have sexual relations with Andrew when she was a minor. The document claims the abuse occurred in London, New York, and on Epstein's private island. Ms Giuffre has previously stated she was trafficked by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell to have sex with Andrew at age 17 – a charge he has consistently denied.
The documents also include emails from Maxwell, now serving a 20-year prison sentence, expressing concern about her links to Andrew. In a 2015 email to her lawyer, she wrote: “I have never been in a suit criminal or civil and want it to stay that way.” When asked in a deposition about Andrew's visit to Epstein's island, Maxwell insisted no underage girls were present other than staff.
The campaign group Republic has reported Prince Andrew to the police in light of the newly released court documents, citing the alleged offences in London. A spokesperson said the Metropolitan Police appeared not to have conducted a serious investigation into the claims. Buckingham Palace declined to comment, noting Andrew is no longer a working royal.
