'Andrew DID know truth'

Accuser claims shamed royal was aware of abuse

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

ANDREW Mountbatten-Windsor was emphatic when asked in 2019 if he knew anything about his pal Jeffrey Epstein's twisted crimes.

Grilled by Emily Maitlis in his infamous Newsnight interview, he replied: "There was no indication to me or anybody else [of] what he was doing... Nothing." From beyond the grave, Virginia Giuffre begs to differ.

Among the 23,000 pages of files, images and emails released as part of a US probe is a transcript of testimony Ms Giuffre gave to Jack Scarola, a lawyer representing Epstein's victims, in 2011.

Mr Scarola said to her: "If we were to take sworn testimony from the people I am going to name, do you believe that any would have relevant information about Jeffrey's taking advantage of underage girls?"

When asked about the then-Prince Andrew, she responds: "Yes, he would know a lot of the truth.

"Again, I don't know how much he would be able to help you with, but seeing he's in a lot of trouble himself these days, I think he might, so I think he may be valuable."

Referring to the ex-Duke of York, she adds: "I'm not too sure of him."

REVELATIONS

Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide in April this year, claimed to have had sex with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor three times, which he strongly denies.

She was working for Epstein in the early 2000s, which is when she says she met the former prince.

This is the first time anyone has claimed the King's brother knew about Epstein's underage abuse.

The billionaire financier was first convicted in 2008. Mr MountbattenWindsor told Newsnight he broke off relations with him two years later in New York.