Buckingham Palace has emphasised that allegations levelled against the Duke of York are “false” after his accuser gave an interview to US television.
Virginia Giuffre told NBC News in America that she was ‘trafficked’ by Prince Andrew, who she described as an ‘abuser’.
Buckingham Palace has issued numerous statements over the years, strongly denying any wrongdoing on the part of the Prince.
On Friday, the Palace said: “It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.”
In the statement last month, Prince Andrew apologised for his former friendship Jeffrey Epstein, who he continued to see even after the disgraced financier was released from prison for prostituting minors over a decade ago.
The Duke said: “At no stage during the limited time I spent with him [Epstein] did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”
Prince Andrew continued: “I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know. I have tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behaviour.
“His suicide has left many unanswered questions and I acknowledge and sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.
“This is a difficult time for everyone involved and I am at a loss to be able to understand or explain Mr Epstein’s lifestyle. I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour.”
In 2011 the Duke apologised for continuing his friendship with Epstein who was jailed for 18 months in 2008.
Epstein was facing federal sex trafficking charges in New York, however, news emerged of his death last month.
The disgraced financier killed himself in his Manhattan cell just a few hours after the new court documents were opened.
