PRINCE ANDREW today revealed he had offered to help American prosecutors “on at least three occasions this year” in its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein in a bombshell statement.
The 60-year-old royal has faced widespread criticism from the US Department of Justice after they claimed he had refused to speak with them as part of their investigation into Epstein’s evil historic sex trafficking network.
And Prince Andew’s legal firm today hit out at the claims there had been a “wall of silence” from the duke.
In a statement released this afternoon, the legal firm said: “The Duke of York has on at least three occasions this year offered his assistance as a witness to the DOJ. Unfortunately, the DOJ has reacted to the first two offers by breaching their own confidentiality rules and claiming that the Duke has offered zero cooperation.
“In doing so, they are perhaps seeking publicity rather than accepting the assistance proffered.”
And they added: “Far from our client acting above the law, as has been implied by press briefings in the US, he is being treated by a lower standard than might reasonably be expected for any other citizen.
“Further, those same breaches of confidentiality by the DOJ have given the global media – and, therefore, the worldwide audience – an entirely misleading account of our discussions with them.
“Any pursuit of an application for mutual legal assistance would be disappointing, since the Duke of York is not a target of the DOJ investigation and has recently repeated his willingness to provide a witness statement.
“It is hoped that this third offer has not been the cause of the most recent leak about the Duke of York.”
And they said they did not intend on making any further public statement to “respect the rules of confidentiality” in England and the US.
It comes after it was revealed overnight that the Department of Justice formally told the UK the Duke of York is now caught up in a criminal probe for the first time.
And a source told HOAR: “The Department of Justice has been in contact with Andrew’s lawyers for many months.
“But they grew tired and were getting nowhere so they upped the ante.”
But a source close to the Duke said: “Legal discussions with the DOJ are subject to strict confidentiality rules, as set out in their own guidelines.
“We have chosen to abide by both the letter and the spirit of these rules, which is why we have made no comment about anything related to the DOJ during the course of this year.
“We believe in playing straight bat.”
Until now it was thought he was only likely to be the target of action by Epstein’s victims in the US civil courts.
One – Virginia Roberts Giuffre, now 36 – alleges she had sex with Andrew on three occasions between 2001 and 2002, twice while underage. However Andrew denies this.
Overnight, the Sun revealed the US Department of Justice has filed a “mutual legal assistance” (MLA) request to the Home Office.
MLA requests are only used in criminal cases under a legal treaty with the UK.
It means Andrew, who “categorically denies” any wrongdoing, could now be forced to appear in a UK court as a witness within months.
The move also piles pressure on the Duke to give evidence – and on the UK Government to assist.
‘DIPLOMATIC NIGHTMARE’
HOAR understands no decision on the explosive request has yet been made by British officials.
And sources said it was unlikely Andrew would be aware of the MLA request at this stage because countries are legally obliged to keep them secret.
But a source said: “It’s a huge statement of intent from the US and it moves Andrew into the realms of a criminal investigation.
“It’s also frankly a diplomatic nightmare.
“The DoJ does not make a request of this nature lightly, especially one involving a senior member of the British royal family.
“It puts the UK government in a very difficult position – and the Duke of York even even more so.”
HOAR has learned the request was formally lodged by the DoJ last month under the terms of a 1994 MLA treaty.
If granted, US prosecutors would have two options.
The first, typically only used for witnesses to crimes, would see the Duke asked to voluntarily attend an interview and give a signed statement. Crucially, this would NOT be under oath.
But sources say angry American investigators – frustrated at what they see as a lack of cooperation from the Queen’s son to date – have the power to pursue an explosive second route.
That would see Andrew asked to attend London’s City of Westminster Magistrates’ Court to provide oral or written evidence on oath.
If he refused, the Duke could be forced to attend in person by summons, with DoJ lawyers able to quiz him.
Andrew, unlike the Queen, does not hold sovereign immunity from prosecution.
But any evidence session could be held “in camera” – privately, with no press or public present.
He would still have the right to “take the Fifth” by staying silent to avoid self-incrimination.
Andrew stepped down as a senior royal after his disastrous Newsnight interview last November.
It aimed to clear the air, but the “car crash” exchange with BBC presenter Emily Maitlis instead has seen his career left in ruins.
During the interview, Andrew said he would help the US investigation if his “legal advice was to do so”.
But in January, Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York leading the Epstein inquiry, said the Duke had “provided zero co-operation”.
Two months later Mr Berman said the Duke had “now completely shut the door on voluntary co-operation”.
ROYAL DENIAL
Alleged victim Virgina Roberts Giuffre says she was trafficked by Epstein to have sex with Andrew in London in 2001.
She described Andrew as “sweating profusely” at Tramp nightclub before having sex at Ghislaine’s Mayfair flat.
Andrew later told Newsnight a “peculiar medical condition” meant he did not sweat.
And he insisted he did not go clubbing, claiming he remembered because he had been at Woking Pizza Express earlier that day.
He claims he has no recollection of ever meeting Giuffre and sources close to the Prince have even suggested a photo with his arm around Giuffre at Maxwell’s flat could have been faked.
Giuffre also alleges that Epstein paid her around £300 to have sex with Andrew at Epstein’s New York mansion.
In evidence to a Florida court in 2015, she claimed to have had an orgy with Andrew and eight other girls at Epstein’s private island in the US Virgin Islands.
Epstein was jailed in Florida in 2008 after being convicted for procuring an underage girl for prostitution and soliciting a prostitute.
