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Prince Andrew: Royalty has failed Epstein's accusers, says lawyer Prince Andrew: Royalty has failed Epstein's accusers, says lawyer
(about 2 hours later)
The Duke of York should apologise for his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a lawyer for one of the dead financier's accusers has said. The Duke of York should apologise for his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, a lawyer for the convicted sex offender's accusers has said.
Spencer Kuvin said "royalty has failed" Epstein's alleged victims. Spencer Kuvin, who represents several unnamed alleged victims, said "royalty has failed them".
He called Prince Andrew's interview with BBC Newsnight on Saturday "sad" and "depressing".He called Prince Andrew's interview with BBC Newsnight on Saturday "sad" and "depressing".
The prince has stood by his decision to take part, despite critics describing it as a "car crash".The prince has stood by his decision to take part, despite critics describing it as a "car crash".
On Monday, Mr Kuvin told the Today programme: "It was depressing that he [Prince Andrew] really did not acknowledge the breadth of his friendship with this despicable man and apologise.On Monday, Mr Kuvin told the Today programme: "It was depressing that he [Prince Andrew] really did not acknowledge the breadth of his friendship with this despicable man and apologise.
"The mere fact that he was friends with a convicted sex offender and chose to continue his relationship with him - it just shows a lack of acknowledgement of the breadth of what this man [Epstein] did to these girls.""The mere fact that he was friends with a convicted sex offender and chose to continue his relationship with him - it just shows a lack of acknowledgement of the breadth of what this man [Epstein] did to these girls."
Prince Andrew told the BBC he never suspected Epstein's criminal behaviour during visits to the US financier's three homes.
But Mr Kuvin said he "did not think there was any way" the prince could have avoided seeing what was going on, "with young girls being shuttled in and out of those homes".
Mr Kuvin said the focus of Epstein's accusers had now turned to potential co-conspirators.Mr Kuvin said the focus of Epstein's accusers had now turned to potential co-conspirators.
It has led to questions being asked about what role Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, may have played in procuring underage girls for the financier.It has led to questions being asked about what role Epstein's former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell, may have played in procuring underage girls for the financier.
Ms Maxwell denies any wrongdoing.Ms Maxwell denies any wrongdoing.
Prince Andrew told the BBC he never suspected Epstein's criminal behaviour during visits to the financier's three homes. Prince Andrew is now facing renewed calls to tell US authorities about his friendship with Epstein - who, at the age of 66, took his own life while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
But Mr Kuvin said he "did not think there was any way" the prince could have avoided seeing what was going on, "with young girls being shuttled in and out of those homes". Lisa Bloom - who represents five other Epstein accusers - told the BBC's Victoria Derbyshire programme: "I think he's made things worse for himself in this interview and I think it's more likely the authorities are going to want to speak to him now - and they should want to."
Discussing Epstein's alleged victims, Mr Kuvin said: "They've been wronged by the system for going on 12, almost 13 years, when they've been promised that justice would prevail. Gloria Allred - another lawyer, also representing one of Epstein's accusers - told Good Morning Britain: "Now he's been in the court of public opinion, he should testify to the FBI."
"And every single time it comes around the system fails them. The government has failed them, the prosecutors have failed them, the US Attorney's Office has failed them, the politicians have failed them - now royalty has failed them. Meanwhile, Labour's shadow trade secretary, Barry Gardiner, said Prince Andrew should do whatever he can to help Epstein's victims.
"It's just by now empty promises. So, unfortunately they're not very hopeful but they will continue the fight." He said: "By saying what he knows of the time that he spent with his former friend, can only be the right thing to do."
It comes as the prince faces heavy criticism for the Newsnight interview. It comes as the prince continues to face heavy criticism for the interview, which many commentators branded a PR disaster.
People close to Prince Andrew said he wanted to address the issues head-on and did so with "honesty and humility". In it, Prince Andrew "categorically" denied having any sexual contact with Virginia Giuffre, known at the time as Virginia Roberts.
In the interview, the prince denied having sex with a then 17-year-old girl - Virginia Giuffre.
Former Buckingham Palace press officer Dickie Arbiter described the interview as "excruciating".
The BBC's royal correspondent Jonny Dymond said the prince was "very damaged" by the interview and the opportunity to clear his name had "failed, badly".
For several months the Duke of York had been facing questions over his ties to Epstein - who, at the age of 66, took his own life while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges.
Prince Andrew "categorically" denied having any sexual contact with Virginia Giuffre, known at the time as Virginia Roberts.
The first occasion, she said, took place when she was aged 17.The first occasion, she said, took place when she was aged 17.
In a lengthy interview, which UK viewers can watch in full on BBC iPlayer or on YouTube elsewhere in the world, the duke said that: People close to Prince Andrew said he wanted to address the issues head-on and did so with "honesty and humility" in speaking to BBC Newsnight.
In a lengthy interview, which UK viewers can watch in full on BBC iPlayer or on YouTube elsewhere in the world, the prince said that: