Buckingham Palace denies sex claim against Prince Andrew

[Lite Beer]

Buckingham Palace denies sex claim against Prince Andrew
SYLVIA HUI, Associated Press

LONDON (AP) — Royal officials on Friday denied that Britain's Prince Andrew engaged in any "impropriety with underage minors" after he was named in U.S. court documents related to a lengthy lawsuit against American financier Jeffrey Epstein.

In papers filed to a Florida court, an unidentified woman alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein when she was under the age of 18. The filing said the alleged encounters took place around 1999 to 2002.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: "This relates to longstanding and ongoing civil proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party. As such we would not comment on the detail." Andrew, 54, is known as the Duke of York.

The statement added: "However, for the avoidance of doubt, any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors is categorically untrue." The statement was unusual because royal officials typically do not comment on such allegations.

The woman's claims, filed on Tuesday, were added to a drawn-out lawsuit filed by two other women who claim they were sexually abused as minors by Epstein. The billionaire financier was sentenced to prison in 2008 after pleading guilty to child sex offenses.

The women have objected to how U.S. prosecutors handled Epstein's case, and want authorities to reconsider a plea deal that allowed Epstein to avoid much more serious federal charges and potentially longer prison time.

The woman making claims against Prince Andrew — only identified as "Jane Doe No.3" — is one of two new accusers asking a West Palm Beach, Florida, judge to allow them to join the existing lawsuit against Epstein. The royal is not named as a defendant in that case, and no criminal charges or formal allegations have been made against him.

It was not the first time Prince Andrew has faced media scrutiny over his friendship with Epstein. In July 2011 the royal stepped down from his role as a U.K. trade ambassador following controversy over his links with the billionaire.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-01-03

[borisloosebrain]

Yeah he only shags over 18 year olds.

[NongKhaiKid]

We Are Not Amused !

Anyone who was involved with Sarah Ferguson shows too much class.

[NeverSure]

Cheap shot. She'd have to be about 32 years old now. If she wants to make such an accusation, show her name and face. An anonymous (to the public) shot like that with the prince's name and picture splashed all over the world is over the top.

The US has a policy of not divulging the name of minors in situations like this which I think is good. But to come along about 15 years later when it's too late for a decent defense is the craps.

[zydeco]

What do Bill Cosby and Prince Andrew have in common?

[Mosha]

Jist on BBC. She has made accusations like this before that have proved to be false.

[outboard]

What do Bill Cosby and Prince Andrew have in common?

they are both French ?

[zaphod reborn]

No surprise. The Royal House is just following the lead of the Brit newspaper and television industries. A bunch of dirty tossers.

[razer]

I knew something like this would happen after UK convictions on "He said-She said" evidence on something that allegedly happened 20 years in the past. More to come I am sure. This just may become the biggest extortion business in the 21st century. Sex offenses are terrible but in a democracy there should be solid evidence for civil or criminal convictions.

[Donnie Brasco]

*cough*

[Johnniey]

British royals should learn from Thailand.

They should have lese majeste laws.

[Credo]

I had heard numerous times that Andrew was attracted to males.

[PREM-R]

I suspect this is not unique, there must be other royal families throughout the world where the prince 'has an eye for the ladies', but perhaps in those societies, unlike the UK, it is not permitted to discuss it.

[sanuk711]

I just cant believe Prince Andrew paid for underage sex ....That family have never paid for anything in their life...............

[NeverSure]

I had heard numerous times that Andrew was attracted to males.

It has been said numerous times that I am a lesbian because I'm attracted to females.

[hansgruber]

Where there is smoke theres fire.

[impulse]

Where there is smoke theres fire.

Or just some money grubbers blowing said smoke.

Let's see what's next before we get out the velvet rope.

In papers filed to a Florida court, an unidentified woman alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein when she was under the age of 18.

I'm not excusing anyone's behavior here, but I believe I would have gotten off that particular junket right after the first time I was forced to have sex.

[soalbundy]

I had heard numerous times that Andrew was attracted to males.

from one of your little friends no doubt.

[soalbundy]

The cheque bounced.

[soalbundy]

What do Bill Cosby and Prince Andrew have in common?

they are both French ?

both black ?

[uptheos]

What do Bill Cosby and Prince Andrew have in common?

Erm........they are subject to freedom of the press?

[PREM-R]

The cheque bounced.

On the same theme - From 'Only Fools and Horses'

Del Boy: [Rodney is looking for crimes to report at the tenants' meeting] Well, why don't you tell them what happened to poor Rita Alldridge then?

Rodney: Yes! Good idea! What happened to Rita Alldridge then?

Del Boy: Last Friday night she was indecently assaulted over by the adventure playground.

Rodney: No! Did she report it?

Del Boy: Yeah, I saw her this morning, she'd just been down the police station.

Rodney: Right. There you are, you see; that's exactly the sort of thing... hang on a minute, if this happened on Friday night, how come it's taken her 'til Wednesday to report it?

Del Boy: Because she didn't know she'd been indecently assaulted until this morning when the bloke's cheque bounced.

[Lex Talionis]

Where there is smoke theres fire.

Or just some money grubbers blowing said smoke.

Let's see what's next before we get out the velvet rope.

In papers filed to a Florida court, an unidentified woman alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein when she was under the age of 18.

I'm not excusing anyone's behavior here, but I believe I would have gotten off that particular junket right after the first time I was forced to have sex.

Yes but you're not a minor. The reason these laws exist is because minors don't have the maturity or sophistication to make those kind of judgments.

[soalbundy]

Where there is smoke theres fire.

Or just some money grubbers blowing said smoke.

Let's see what's next before we get out the velvet rope.

In papers filed to a Florida court, an unidentified woman alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with Prince Andrew in London, New York and on a private Caribbean island owned by Epstein when she was under the age of 18.

I'm not excusing anyone's behavior here, but I believe I would have gotten off that particular junket right after the first time I was forced to have sex.

Yes but you're not a minor. The reason these laws exist is because minors don't have the maturity or sophistication to make those kind of judgments.

but they can still count money and years later after ''their lives have been ruined'' up comes a court case somewhere in the world and ''hey i can get some more out of this''.

[ggt]

I doubt seriously anyone was "forced" to have sex with the Prince...however...that really does not matter in the US...it is considered a felony rape even if it was consensual sex...

[Time Traveller]

Does Thailand's lese majeste laws include foreign royals?

[soalbundy]

Does Thailand's lese majeste laws include foreign royals?

yes

[ttthailand]

Hopefully the truth comes out and justice is served. Famous or not if a crime has happened he should be prosecuted just like anyone else.

[CaptHaddock]

Does Thailand's lese majeste laws include foreign royals?

yes

What is the basis for this claim? Article 112 does not mention foreign royals nor do we hear of prosecution of cases on that basis.

[umbanda]

In the US it is a very good deal to file acussations to wealthy people.....Fight back in court and hire a defense lawyer, etc, it is a lot more expensive than do set a private setlement..even if the acussation is false.