Prince Andrew breaks cover as his lawyers say it 'comes as no surprise' Scotland Yard has DROPPED probe into Virginia Roberts' sex abuse claims: They say Duke 'vigorously maintains his innocence'
Prince Andrew's legal team are 'not surprised' that Scotland Yard has abandoned its review of sex abuse allegations surrounding him and Jeffrey Epstein, a source close to him told
The 61-year-old Duke of York, who lives at Royal Lodge in Windsor, was photographed behind the wheel of his Range Rover this morning as he broke cover following the latest dramatic development in the case last night.
The force has decided to take no further action over accuser Virginia Roberts's allegation that she was trafficked to London as a 17-year-old and forced to have sex with Andrew, after its officers reportedly spoke with her. It will also take no further action over claims that financier Epstein groomed and abused other young women in Britain.
And a source close to the Duke told MailOnline today: 'It comes as no surprise that the Met Police have confirmed that, having reviewed the sex assault claims against The Duke for a third time, they are taking no further action.
'Despite pressure from the media and claims of new evidence, the Met have concluded that the claims are not sufficient to warrant any further investigation. The Duke has always vigorously maintained his innocence and continues to do so.'
Andrew is facing a civil lawsuit in the US after Miss Roberts accused him of 'rape in the first degree', and said she was abused by him in London after a visit to Tramp nightclub in Mayfair. Andrew has always vehemently denied the claims and his legal team is seeking to get the US case thrown out.
The Metropolitan Police had previously examined the allegations by Miss Roberts, now known as Virginia Giuffre, against the Duke but did not open a full investigation, saying the case was a matter for the US authorities.
After the civil lawsuit was filed in New York, Met Commissioner Cressida Dick said she had asked her officers to review the claim, adding: 'No one is above the law.'
But a Met spokesman said last night: 'As a matter of procedure, MPS officers reviewed a document released in August 2021 as part of a US civil action. This review has concluded and we are taking no further action.'
The decision by the Met to remove the prospect of further action against Prince Andrew comes as:
- The Duke of York's siblings - Charles, Edward and Anne - are said to have 'closed the door' on the prospect of him making return to public life;
- Sources say Prince William, who is 'no fan of Uncle Andrew', branded him a 'threat to the royal family';
- Prince Andrew is privately preparing to hand over 'personal documents' for a civil case filed in New York against him by Virginia Roberts-Giuffre;
- A US District Judge granted permission for the duke's lawyers to receive a copy of a confidential agreement between Epstein and Ms Giuffre.
Prince Andrew is photographed driving near Windsor Castle in Berkshire in his Range Rover this morning
The Duke of York is seen today after Scotland Yard abandoned its review of sex abuse allegations surrounding him
The 61-year-old Duke of York, who lives at Royal Lodge in the Berkshire town, was photographed behind the wheel today
The document referred to is the civil lawsuit filed by Miss Roberts in a New York court on August 9, in which she accused Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was 17.
The lawsuit specifically mentions being forced to have sex with him at socialite Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in Mayfair.
The force refused to confirm or deny reports that its officers had spoken to Miss Roberts, 38, who lives in Australia and is known by her married name, Giuffre. It was unclear if a formal statement was taken.
Scotland Yard said it 'continues to liaise with other law enforcement agencies who lead the investigation into matters related to Jeffrey Epstein'.
The force has decided to take no further action over her allegation that she was trafficked to London as a 17-year-old and forced to have sex with Andrew. Scotland Yard has also decided to take no further action over claims that billionaire financier Epstein groomed and abused other young women in Britain. Pictured: Andrew with Epstein in Central Park, New York in 2010
The Duke of York, 61, is facing a civil lawsuit in the US after Miss Roberts accused him of 'rape in the first degree', and said she was abused by him in London after a visit to Tramp nightclub in Mayfair. This photo of Andrew with Miss Roberts is believed to have been taken at the London home of Ghislaine Maxwell
In her civil lawsuit, Virginia Roberts (left) also claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew at the mansion of Epstein (right) in New York and on Little St James, his private island in the Caribbean
In her civil lawsuit, Miss Roberts also claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew at Epstein's mansion in New York and on Little St James, his private island in the Caribbean.
She alleges she was 'trafficked' to London in March 2001, where she was photographed next to Andrew in Maxwell's house.
Andrew has insisted he has 'no recollection' of meeting Miss Roberts and has repeatedly denied her account of events.
He told a 2019 Newsnight interview he was at a Pizza Express restaurant in Woking, Surrey, on the day they supposedly went dancing and had sex.
He has hired a team of well-known US lawyers to fight Miss Roberts' civil claim in New York, where a preliminary hearing is due to be held next month.
His legal team will seek to have the case thrown out, but have said they will challenge the allegations on a point-by-point basis if the lawsuit is allowed to go ahead.
Miss Roberts has also alleged she has suffered 'significant emotional and psychological distress and harm' because of her alleged abuse and is claiming damages which could run into millions of pounds if her case succeeds.
In her lawsuit, she claimed Andrew knew she was a victim of sex trafficking by Epstein, and also knew she was a minor under US law.
The lawsuit alleged she was 'compelled by express or implied threats by Epstein, Maxwell and/or Prince Andrew to engage in sexual acts with Prince Andrew, and feared death or physical injury to herself or another and other repercussions for disobeying Epstein, Maxwell, and Prince Andrew due to their powerful connections, wealth, and authority.'
Maxwell is to face a criminal trial next month accused of procuring and trafficking underage girls for Epstein. She denies the allegations.
Andrew stepped back from public life after the disastrous Newsnight interview over his relationship with convicted paedophile Epstein, 66, who was found dead in his prison cell while awaiting trial on trafficking charges in 2019.
It comes as the duke's siblings have reportedly agreed at a secret summit in January that he should never be allowed to return to royal duties, or any public role.
Prince Charles, Princess Anne and Prince Edward have agreed there is 'no way back' for Andrew, according to The Sun on Sunday newspaper.
Prince William also fears the scandal surrounding his uncle is 'dangerous' for the Royal Family and could pose a reputational threat to the monarchy.
A source told The Sunday Times: 'William is no fan of Uncle Andrew.'
Another source told the newspaper: 'There is no way in the world he's ever coming back, the family will never let it happen.'
William, Charles and the Queen held separate talks when Andrew stepped back from his royal duties, following his Newsnight interview over Miss Roberts' allegations.
He has kept a low profile since that interview, although he did speak to television cameras outside All Saints Chapel, Windsor Lodge, after the death of Prince Philip in April.
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