Newly uncovered emails from the Epstein Files have exposed a protracted legal battle between Prince Andrew's lawyers and US authorities, revealing that the Duke of York was blocked from an FBI interview after being designated a suspect in the Jeffrey Epstein inquiry. The correspondence, spanning nine months from January 2020, shows his legal team engaged in fraught negotiations with the Department of Justice over his cooperation.
Suspect Status Revealed in Early 2020
In a letter dated September 2020, Prince Andrew's solicitor, Gary Bloxsome, explicitly stated to US prosecutors: 'You have confirmed to us... that you regard our client not as a witness but as a subject.' This designation was reportedly communicated in January 2020 through a liaison officer and reiterated in subsequent meetings. Prosecutors did not dispute this claim, instead continuing to press for an oral interview rather than accepting the written statement offered by Andrew's team as a compromise.
Legal Implications of Subject Status
A US legal source explained the significance of this status: 'If someone is a subject of a federal investigation it means investigators are looking at evidence and seeing whether they have enough to prove involvement in a criminal activity.' Under such circumstances, legal experts note that no competent lawyer would permit their client to participate in a free-form interview, as it could lead to self-incrimination. This fundamental legal principle guided the Duke's legal strategy throughout the negotiations.
Nine Months of Tense Negotiations
The correspondence began in January 2020 when Mr Bloxsome wrote to the Department of Justice expressing Prince Andrew's 'strong desire to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.' By June, however, his team stated they could not 'commit to a particular form of cooperation' without assurances of confidentiality. The following month, prosecutors offered limited confidentiality but warned they were 'not able to provide a broader grant of immunity with respect to statements made by your client during a voluntary interview.'
In September, Mr Bloxsome proposed a written witness statement and further engagement through written questioning as 'a fair compromise.' The Department of Justice rejected this offer and subsequently filed a request with the Home Office to compel Prince Andrew to be interviewed. This attempt ultimately proved unsuccessful.
Legal Team's Strategic Approach
A second US legal source clarified: 'Subject status means that prosecutors believe they have evidence linking you to a crime. There was a very real concern from his legal side that he might be considered a subject or target. That is why they would not let him sit for a deposition.' Mr Bloxsome, of London firm Blackfords, is known by the nickname 'Good News Gary' for his optimistic approach to client representation.
Broader Context and Recent Developments
The emails, unearthed by The Mail on Sunday, provide crucial context to Prince Andrew's legal challenges. They reveal that despite his team's claim in June 2020 that he had offered to assist the Department of Justice as a witness three times, US authorities were seeking his interview specifically because he was under suspicion, not merely as a potential source of information about Epstein.
In February of this year, Prince Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in relation to the Epstein case. He has not been charged with any offense. Both Prince Andrew and Mr Bloxsome were approached for comment regarding the newly revealed correspondence.
The documents underscore the complex legal maneuvering that characterized the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein's network, highlighting how Prince Andrew's legal team navigated the precarious position of a royal figure facing serious criminal allegations in a foreign jurisdiction.
