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The Yorks

Buckingham Palace makes further statement in regards to Prince Andrew sex claims

Buckingham Palace last night made another unprecedented statement in regards to allegations made against Prince Andrew which link him to having a sex with an underage girl.

The statement comes after The Mail on Sunday purports that the woman who made the claims, previously known as ‘Jane Doe #3’, is Virginia Roberts. Ms Roberts alleges that when she was a minor, she was part of a sex trafficking scheme run by Prince Andrew’s former friend Jeffery Epstein.

US court documents allege that she was forced to sleep with the Prince on three occasions when she was underage, in London, New York and on a private Caribbean Island owned by Epstein. The duke and Ms Roberts were photographed together in 2001.

A spokesperson said “It is emphatically denied that The Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts. The allegations made are false and without any foundation.”

It is extremely rare for Buckingham Palace to release such a robust statement, but in this instance with the gravitas of the situation, it appears they had no choice.

Epstein was sentenced in 2008 to eighteen months in prison after he pleaded guilty to soliciting a minor for prostitution.

The Prince has been heavily scrutinised for his friendship with Epstein. The pair were recently photographed together in 2010 after the billionaire had served his prison sentence.

In 2011 the Duke apologised for his friendship and was forced to step down as the UK special representative for trade and investment.

Photo credit: Siim Teller via photopin cc