Attorneys representing convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s accusers are demanding that Prince Andrew speak to the FBI — a move that would demonstrate “justice and accountability for the victims,” according to new reports.
The calls came a day after the Duke of York announced that he was stepping back from public duties “for the foreseeable future” and would be “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
Gloria Allred, who represents some of the women allegedly abused by Epstein, told BBC Newsnight that she was “glad” the embattled prince is willing to cooperate, but that he should take the initiative to reach out to authorities.
“Is he insisting that he be served with a subpoena to testify, or is he willing to speak to law enforcement without being legally required to do so?” she said. “My clients who are victims of Jeffrey Epstein have spoken to law enforcement without being ‘required’ to do so.”
Lisa Bloom, Allred’s daughter, who said she represents five of Epstein’s accusers and is “talking to many more,” told the Telegraph that the prince should “turn over any and all evidence.”
“He has emails, texts, calendars, all the normal stuff that you turn over when you’re in litigation,” she said. “And he should have his staffers and security. For me, this is about justice for the victims.”
“It’s a new age where we expect, at a minimum, compassion for the victims,” the lawyer continued. “And Prince Andrew didn’t show that at all, even when he was asked. He just didn’t show it. He didn’t have it in him. And I think that’s where he’s been attacked the most. He also was terribly inconsistent on some of his statements, which make him look not credible. That’s a problem because he’s accused of sexual assault himself.”
David Boies, representing Virginia Roberts Giuffre — who claimed that Epstein coerced her into having sex with Prince Andrew and other powerful men when she was underage — and other accusers, told the BBC that the royal took “a positive first step towards taking responsibility for his actions.”
“A second positive step would be to agree to be interviewed by the lawyers representing the victims of Jeffrey Epstein,” he added in a statement obtained by the BBC.
The prince’s decision to step back from his public role came less than a week after he sat down with the BBC — and used a bizarre medical condition to defend himself against allegations that he slept with one of Epstein’s alleged sex slaves.
Sources told various British outlets that Prince Andrew was forced into abandoning his royal duties by his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
