Lawyers for UK's Prince Andrew hit back at U.S. authorities over Epstein inquiry

By Mark Hosenball and Michael Holden

 

Horse Racing - Royal Ascot - Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, Britain - June 20, 2019 Britain's Prince Andrew arrives by horse and carriage on ladies day REUTERS/Toby Melville/Files

 

WASHINGTON/LONDON (Reuters) - Lawyers for Britain's Prince Andrew on Monday hit back at claims that he was not cooperating with U.S. prosecutors investigating the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting they were seeking publicity rather than his help.

 

U.S. investigators want to interview Andrew, Queen Elizabeth's second son, about his friendship with Epstein - who was found dead in prison last year while awaiting charges of trafficking minors - as part of their inquiry into possible co-conspirators.

 

U.S. Attorney General William Barr said on Monday there were no plans to extradite Andrew.

 

Asked during a Fox News interview whether the United States has officially asked Britain to hand over Prince Andrew, Barr said, "I don't think it's a question of handing him over. I think it’s just a question of having him provide some evidence." Asked if Prince Andrew would be extradited, Barr said, "No."

 

Andrew has publicly stated he will cooperate with any "appropriate law enforcement agency". But in March, Manhattan-based U.S. Attorney Geoffrey Berman said the prince had "shut the door on voluntary cooperation and our office is considering its options".

 

In a statement, Andrew's lawyers said the prince, whose official title is the Duke of York, had offered his help to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) three times this year.

 

"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," Andrew's lawyers Blackfords said.

 

"In doing so, they are perhaps seeking publicity rather than accepting the assistance proffered," the statement said.

 

The lawyers said the DOJ had only requested Andrew's help on Jan. 2 and had stated that he had never been a target of their investigation and they merely wanted his cooperation.

 

They said statements by Berman that Andrew had given "zero cooperation" were "inaccurate and should not have been made".

 

Britain's Sun newspaper reported the DOJ had sent British authorities a mutual legal assistance treaty (MLAT) request, used in criminal investigations to gather material from other states which cannot readily be obtained on a police cooperation basis.

 

A U.S. law enforcement official, who has direct knowledge of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity, said such a request had been submitted.

 

A spokeswoman for the Justice Department declined to comment and Britain's Home Office (interior ministry) said it did not comment on the existence of any MLAT requests. Buckingham Palace is not commenting on the legal case.

 

If the MLAT request is granted, U.S. prosecutors could ask for Andrew, who stepped down from public duties because of the furore over his links to Epstein, to voluntarily attend an interview to give a statement or potentially force him to attend a court to provide evidence under oath.

 

"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," Blackfords' statement said.

 

A U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation probe is focusing on British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell, a longtime associate of Epstein's, and others who facilitated his alleged trafficking of underage girls, law enforcement sources told Reuters in December.

 

Maxwell, whose whereabouts are currently unknown, has denied the allegations against her.

 

(Reporting by Michael Holden; Editing by Giles Elgood and Jonathan Oatis)

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-06-09

 

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 Of course Bill Barr says there will not be an extradition. If anyone can implicate his boss Trump  into this paedophile gang it would be Randy Andy.

If Andrew is innocent as he claims, he should step up and help, but no he is too busy hiding behind his family, pathetic.

Privilege should never exceed the law. Extradite Prince Andrew to the US to face questions and charges if necessary.

 

Equally so, the US should extradite Anne Sacoolas (wife of US Diplomat who is charged with 'causing death by dangerous driving' after killing 19 year old Motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 8, 20206 yr by richard_smith237

34 minutes ago, richard_smith237 said:

Privilege should never exceed the law. Extradite Prince Andrew to the US to face questions and charges if necessary.

 

Equally so, the US should extradite Anne Sacoolas (wife of US Diplomat who is charged with 'causing death by dangerous driving' after killing 19 year old Motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

yes always a good idea to let the Us justice system get their mitts on you, as they are so honest and open in their dealings, just stay in the UK and let the witch hunt continue in the US.

1 hour ago, richard_smith237 said:

Privilege should never exceed the law. Extradite Prince Andrew to the US to face questions and charges if necessary.

 

Equally so, the US should extradite Anne Sacoolas (wife of US Diplomat who is charged with 'causing death by dangerous driving' after killing 19 year old Motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Both cases will never happen.  It is how it is. 

39 minutes ago, steve187 said:

yes always a good idea to let the Us justice system get their mitts on you, as they are so honest and open in their dealings, just stay in the UK and let the witch hunt continue in the US.

You do understand that he wouldn't have to travel to the US. Reciprocal agreements mean that he could simply sit down in a London police station and answer questions on a video link.

 

I think what is somewhat interesting about his reluctance is that, he's not being accused of anything, but they want to question him about Epstein.

 

I think what they probably more likely want is evidence against  Ghislaine Maxwell, essentially Epstein's Mama-san, who seems to have gone into hiding!

Edited June 9, 20206 yr by GinBoy2

USAG Barr’s statements need to be taken with a pinch of salt, he’s very likely to leave office in January 2021, and he has no control over NY State prosecutors who were present and shared evidence found with the FBI when Epstein’s properties were raided and safe(s) opened.

 

This sordid episode has a long way to go yet.

Bet the arrogant tosser is sweating now!

i wonder if bill clinton has anything to say regarding this ? 

 

epstien did not kill himself !

 

where are the world wide protests for this sort of thing ? these people are complete scum.

Rather a sad Chap, just like Edward, and the Chump who married the Yank. Gotta just love  Old Phill with his non P.C. Up You attitude.

1 hour ago, mr mr said:

i wonder if bill clinton has anything to say regarding this ? 

 

epstien did not kill himself !

 

where are the world wide protests for this sort of thing ? these people are complete scum.

Wrong president. Epstein was in a federal jail and Trump is head of the federal gov.

I wonder how dirty this guys laundry is,how many skeletons he has in his closet and what documents that are hidden in his diplomatic suit case?

 

One thing is clear. He´s hiding something!

3 hours ago, Matzzon said:

One thing is clear. He´s hiding something!

He's certainly giving that impression. Whether Barr has it in for him I've no idea, but all this ducking and diving is more appropriate to Dell Boy than a Royal.

5 hours ago, pegman said:

Wrong president. Epstein was in a federal jail and Trump is head of the federal gov.

 

don't forget BILL CLINTON, BILL GATES, ...

8 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Privilege should never exceed the law. Extradite Prince Andrew to the US to face questions and charges if necessary.

 

Equally so, the US should extradite Anne Sacoolas (wife of US Diplomat who is charged with 'causing death by dangerous driving' after killing 19 year old Motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

They're gathering evidence in the existing case. I don't believe he's a suspect in anything.

 

You don't extradite witnesses, it's simply something that's not done, that's why Barr said they won't extradite him, it's nonsense.

 

That said, it's never a good idea to talk to the FBI about anything because there's one thing they love to do, they like you to make a tiny mistake, even something completely inconsequential so they can say you lied which is a crime in itself.

 

Never speak to the FBI.

8 hours ago, steve187 said:

yes always a good idea to let the Us justice system get their mitts on you, as they are so honest and open in their dealings, just stay in the UK and let the witch hunt continue in the US.

He would have to be a complete idiot to go to the US.  Anything could happen.  The least he could to is agree to meet DOJ/FBI in the UK.  He won’t do that because he is guilty as hell

9 hours ago, pegman said:

 Of course Bill Barr says there will not be an extradition. If anyone can implicate his boss Trump  into this paedophile gang it would be Randy Andy.

 

And he might implicate Bill Clinton. And that would upset Hilary. And HRH might have an accident.

6 minutes ago, chilli42 said:

He would have to be a complete idiot to go to the US.  Anything could happen.  The least he could to is agree to meet DOJ/FBI in the UK.  He won’t do that because he is guilty as hell

 

Not into innocent till proven guilty are you?

 

But you're right about the US Justice System. Totally broken and corrupted circus run by clowns. And like you, not bothered about innocent till proven guilty.

1 hour ago, ukrules said:

They're gathering evidence in the existing case. I don't believe he's a suspect in anything.

 

You don't extradite witnesses, it's simply something that's not done, that's why Barr said they won't extradite him, it's nonsense.

 

That said, it's never a good idea to talk to the FBI about anything because there's one thing they love to do, they like you to make a tiny mistake, even something completely inconsequential so they can say you lied which is a crime in itself.

 

Never speak to the FBI.

 

The FBI -  a political tool now, shadow of it's former self.

9 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Privilege should never exceed the law. Extradite Prince Andrew to the US to face questions and charges if necessary.

 

Equally so, the US should extradite Anne Sacoolas (wife of US Diplomat who is charged with 'causing death by dangerous driving' after killing 19 year old Motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

no.

extradition is a legal mechanism applying to persons suspected of a crime and is granted only when there is sufficient evidence, in addition of other necessary conditions.

While the media distracts us with Prince Andrew's obduracy, his close friend and Epstein's alleged procurer-in-chief Ghislaine Maxwell has slipped quietly into obscurity.

 

Lawyers, officials and investigators working on the Epstein case, have no idea where the fugitive favourite daughter of former UK publishing tycoon Robert Maxwell might have fled from justice after selling her New York townhouse.

 

A British newspaper, which had heard she was holed up in a French chateau, is offering a five-figure reward for news of her whereabouts. My guess is vanishing lady knows too much about too many influential people to ever to be caught.

Leave Prince Andrew alone. Extradite the Sacoolas woman murderer.

2 hours ago, ukrules said:

They're gathering evidence in the existing case. I don't believe he's a suspect in anything.

 

You don't extradite witnesses, it's simply something that's not done, that's why Barr said they won't extradite him, it's nonsense.

 

That said, it's never a good idea to talk to the FBI about anything because there's one thing they love to do, they like you to make a tiny mistake, even something completely inconsequential so they can say you lied which is a crime in itself.

 

Never speak to the FBI.

Very sound advice. 

For this matter to get to this far, they must have something on Andy. There is no way the US Attorney is going on a "fishing trip" with a member of the British Royal Family - far too political for the effort. 

From the Netflix series, it was mentioned a few times about Epstein's surveillance systems at his NY townhouse and Pedo Island - both places Andy was seen multiple occasions. I'm sure they would love for him (or maybe British Intelligence) to give up the whereabouts of Maxwell and this could be the leverage to get that done. The last thing the US Attorney wants is to put Andy in jail.

Well, he did say he was willing to help three times and the US lawyers made a public statement that they shouldn't have. Not sure why he can't answer questions via video at his home. The example of Julian Assange is enough to think the law is not to be trusted.

What I find funny about it is that Andrew denied right away to have ever met the girl in question and yet there’s a photograph of the two of them. His denial speaks for his guilt in my opinion because if he was innocent there would be no reason to deny having met her. 

21 hours ago, richard_smith237 said:

Equally so, the US should extradite Anne Sacoolas (wife of US Diplomat who is charged with 'causing death by dangerous driving' after killing 19 year old Motorcyclist Harry Dunn.

 

20 hours ago, robblok said:

Both cases will never happen.  It is how it is. 

 

11 hours ago, Pedrogaz said:

Leave Prince Andrew alone. Extradite the Sacoolas woman murderer.

 

That'd be a good deal for the Brits. Let's see the US act on the red notice and do a swap for the inbred off-spring.

 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-12/interpol-wanted-notice-anne-sarcoolas-wife-of-us-diplomat/12237056

Edited June 9, 20206 yr by Salerno

12 hours ago, Baerboxer said:

 

The FBI -  a political tool now, shadow of it's former self.

You must be joking.  If it is as you say then is is surely what it was always destined or designed to be.  Its shadow is long.

Been watching The Windsors on Netflix no punches pulled on that show. loved it.