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Jeffrey Epstein accusers outraged by Prince Andrew's 'lack of co-operation' Jeffrey Epstein accusers outraged by Prince Andrew's 'lack of co-operation'
(about 2 hours later)
A lawyer representing women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein has urged Prince Andrew to co-operate with an investigation into the financier. Lawyers representing women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein have urged Prince Andrew to co-operate with an investigation into the financier.
Lisa Bloom said the alleged victims were "outraged" by the Duke of York not assisting the US authorities.Lisa Bloom said the alleged victims were "outraged" by the Duke of York not assisting the US authorities.
It comes after the prosecutor in charge of the US investigation said the duke had provided "zero co-operation".It comes after the prosecutor in charge of the US investigation said the duke had provided "zero co-operation".
The prince has said he did not witness or suspect any suspicious behaviour during visits to Epstein's homes.The prince has said he did not witness or suspect any suspicious behaviour during visits to Epstein's homes.
He told the BBC last November that he was willing to help the authorities into the investigation of Epstein, a convicted sex offender who took his own life in a jail cell in August, aged 66, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges. He has come under fire for his friendship with the US financier - a convicted sex offender who took his own life in a jail cell in August, aged 66, while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.
The duke told the BBC last November that he was willing to help the authorities into the investigation of Epstein.
However, US attorney Geoffrey Berman said prosecutors and the FBI have received no reply after contacting the duke's lawyers.However, US attorney Geoffrey Berman said prosecutors and the FBI have received no reply after contacting the duke's lawyers.
What have the lawyers said?
Ms Bloom, a US lawyer who represents five of Epstein's accusers, said the duke should "do the right thing".Ms Bloom, a US lawyer who represents five of Epstein's accusers, said the duke should "do the right thing".
She told BBC Newsnight: "I'm glad that Geoffrey Berman has gone public to try to embarrass Prince Andrew, who made one statement and then behind closed doors is doing something very different.She told BBC Newsnight: "I'm glad that Geoffrey Berman has gone public to try to embarrass Prince Andrew, who made one statement and then behind closed doors is doing something very different.
"The five Epstein victims who I represent are outraged and disappointed at Prince Andrew's behaviour here.""The five Epstein victims who I represent are outraged and disappointed at Prince Andrew's behaviour here."
Buckingham Palace said the prince's legal team was dealing with the issue and it would not be commenting further.Buckingham Palace said the prince's legal team was dealing with the issue and it would not be commenting further.
Ms Bloom added: "If Prince Andrew truly has done nothing wrong then it's incumbent upon him to go and speak to the FBI at a time that's convenient for him and say what he knows.Ms Bloom added: "If Prince Andrew truly has done nothing wrong then it's incumbent upon him to go and speak to the FBI at a time that's convenient for him and say what he knows.
"Perhaps he can help bring other people to justice.""Perhaps he can help bring other people to justice."
Another US lawyer representing some of Epstein's accusers, Gloria Allred, said she had sent a letter to Prince Andrew's home urging him to co-operate but hadn't received a response.Another US lawyer representing some of Epstein's accusers, Gloria Allred, said she had sent a letter to Prince Andrew's home urging him to co-operate but hadn't received a response.
She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "No response is the same as zero co-operation. This is ridiculous. It's just not acceptable."She told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "No response is the same as zero co-operation. This is ridiculous. It's just not acceptable."
She added: "Prince Andrew has a moral obligation to volunteer to speak to law enforcement - that's what he said he would do."She added: "Prince Andrew has a moral obligation to volunteer to speak to law enforcement - that's what he said he would do."
The duke has come under fire for his friendship with the US financier, who was jailed in Florida in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution. What allegations is Prince Andrew facing?
He told BBC Newsnight in November that he first met Epstein in 1999 and did not regret their friendship - which led to Epstein attending events at Windsor Castle and Sandringham - because it had "some seriously beneficial outcomes".
However he admitted it was wrong of him to visit Epstein at his home in 2010, after his conviction.
Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers, says she was trafficked to London by Epstein in 2001, when she was 17, and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew.Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein's accusers, says she was trafficked to London by Epstein in 2001, when she was 17, and forced to have sex with Prince Andrew.
Prince Andrew emphatically denies any form of sexual contact or relationship with her and says any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation. Prince Andrew has emphatically denied any form of sexual contact or relationship with her and said any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.
He said he has no recollection of ever meeting the woman, who was previously known as Virginia Roberts. He told BBC Newsnight in November that he had no recollection of ever meeting the woman, who was previously known as Virginia Roberts.
Prince Andrew was accused of lacking empathy for Epstein's victims in his Newsnight interview and failing to show regret over their friendship. In the interview, Prince Andrew said he was "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency".
Shortly after it was broadcast, the prince announced he was stepping back from royal duties for the "foreseeable future" because the Epstein scandal had become a "major disruption" to the Royal Family. He also said he would consider giving evidence under oath "if push came to shove and the legal advice was to do so".
At the time, he said he was "willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency". What was Prince Andrew's relationship with Epstein?
He also said in the BBC interview he would consider giving evidence under oath "if push came to shove and the legal advice was to do so". Prince Andrew told the BBC that he had first met Epstein through his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell in 1999 but it was a "stretch" to say they were close friends and they saw each other "a maximum of three times a year".
Prince Andrew accompanied the Queen to church near Sandringham earlier this month. He acknowledged he had stayed on Epstein's private island, visited his home in Palm Beach, Florida, and travelled on his private plane.
It was the first time the prince had been seen with his mother since the week after his Newsnight interview. The duke said he did not regret their friendship - which led to Epstein attending events at Windsor Castle and Sandringham - because it had "some seriously beneficial outcomes".
He said he was unaware of an arrest warrant against Epstein when he invited him to Princess Beatrice's 18th birthday party at Windsor Castle in 2006.
However he admitted it was wrong of him to visit Epstein, who was jailed in Florida in 2008 for procuring a minor for prostitution, at his home in 2010, after his conviction.
Where is the FBI with its Epstein investigation?
US prosecutor Mr Berman spoke on Monday about the progress of the sex trafficking investigation and said it was looking at possible "conspirators" who had worked alongside Epstein procuring girls for the financier's sexual gratification.
"Jeffrey Epstein couldn't have done what he did without the assistance of others, and I can assure you that the investigation is moving forward," he said.
British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell is one of those who is under FBI investigation, according to US media, over possible crimes linked to the sex trafficking charges.
Ms Maxwell, a long-time Epstein friend, has not been accused by the authorities of wrongdoing. The inquiry is believed to be in the early stages and no new charges are pending.
No other names of those being investigated have been revealed.