Forum Topic

Prince Andrew in abuse lawsuit

Can't wait to see how this pans out.

Brian Coyle ● 1903d32 Comments

About time -

Helen Bamberger ● 1903d

Having sex with a consenting 17-year-old is not illegal in the UK.

Richard Greenhough ● 1903d

Can he claim Sovereign immunity?

Justin Stephenson ● 1902d

True, Richard, subject to the reservation that, if she had been groomed and sexually exploited as a minor, it's questionable whether there really was consent. But in any case, it's not a good look, as they say over the pond.It's just one more issue highlighting the need for better legal protection of vulnerable 16- and 17-year-olds.

Robert Fish ● 1902d

She looks happy enough in that much-reproduced photo, but I agree it's not "a good look". However it is the US that failed in its duty of care to a vulnerable 17-year-old, letting her leave the country in the company of the likes of Epstein. For a country that bans alcohol sales to supposedly vulnerable teenagers in many states, that is not a good look.

Richard Greenhough ● 1902d

How can anyone prove any of this and what with the suspicious suicide.

Janice Evans ● 1902d

Virginia Giuffre is pursuing a civil case. The burden of proof in a civil case is only by a preponderance of the evidence, rather than beyond a reasonable doubt, as in a  criminal case. The burden of proof can be discharged if the court considers the young woman's account plausible and suspects that the Queen's second son is lying to protect his reputation. If he declines to attend court he runs the risk of losing credibility and of having judgement entered against him in absentia. He will also be unable to visit the US in future. If he really did have sex with the plaintiff his only solution to the dilemma might be an out-of-court settlement involving wads of royal dosh.

Robert Fish ● 1902d

Brian Coyle asked" Can't wait to see how this pans out."All Andy's brief needs to do is mark out the room boundaries of Ghislaine Maxwell's Mewscottage* on the floor of the courtroom and ask the jury how they thought it was possible for any shenigans to have taken place in any of the rooms without all present being immediately aware of it. Unless Andy And Guiffre were also wearing gags which havepreviously gone unmentioned. Of all the places anyone could possibly choose...Fergie was and evidently still is deep in debtand was already into Epstein for anything between fifteen and fifty large. While Andy was desperately looking for another cash injection.The real mystery about Epstein was the sourceof his wealth.michael adams* Without actually having lived in one myselfdownstairs which was formerly the stable/garageforms a living room with the stairs at the side and all the other rooms are on floor above.

Michael Adams ● 1902d

Really, if he wants to show he's not the bounder everyone thinks he is, he should do the decent thing and marry her.

John Hall ● 1902d

Richard Greenhough explained" However it is the US that failed in its duty of care to a vulnerable 17-year-old"" For a country that bans alcohol sales to supposedly vulnerable teenagers..."And yet Trump among others met with no difficulties at all, in employing 17 year old girls such as Guiffre to work as masseurs in their health resorts.Which alone is creepy enough IMO.michael adams...

Michael Adams ● 1902d

John Hall" he should do the decent thing and marry her "Apparently Andy and Fergie are still best friendsand even visit Balmoral together. Maybe easier nowadays with HRH the DoE sadly passed.While another point Andy's defence is his notedpreference for the fuller figure as evidencedby all his public associations.Although being thick as a plank he'll probably try and rely on the Pizza Hut alibi alone.michael adams... 

Michael Adams ● 1902d

Wonder if Mandelson gets a mention as he traveled a lot on the fun jet?

Basil Finnis ● 1902d

I wonder if he's sweating yet. Oh no, I forgot, being a war hero, he can't.

Colin Jordan ● 1902d

'Royal dosh' being money from the public purse.

Keith Iddon ● 1902d

Colin you are right- hopefully this will pan out and he doesn't get away with this - I don't have much hope -

Helen Bamberger ● 1901d

"..he doesn't get away with this.."Get away with what, exactly ? Even if they did have sex (and we only have her word for that) it was not illegal under UK law. If she didn't want to travel to the UK under Epstein's auspices she could have objected at the airport before she left the US.

Richard Greenhough ● 1901d

Her word against his, he did put himself in a dodgy situation and could have been 'set up', they will decide.

Janice Evans ● 1901d

As usual one rule for the rich and powerful and one rule for the poor.At least the US won't have Andrew entering their country again; Scotland has to put up with him.

Chris Dakers ● 1901d

Never thought he was that rich, could be wrong.

Janice Evans ● 1901d

Suppose it rich to most people.

Janice Evans ● 1901d

Well I agree- one for the powerful and one for the normal people- why if he is so innocent he won't go back to the USA to answer to these allegations? If you are innocent you would... He will probably get away from this - sadly - his interview was a real car crash .

Helen Bamberger ● 1901d

Why should he go to the US where the law regarding sex with 17-year-olds is different to the UK? Unless we could swop him for Anne Sacoolas.......

Richard Greenhough ● 1901d

why if he is so innocent he won't go back to the USA to answer to these allegations? If you are innocent you would...If I was accused of something in the US and I was innocent I wouldn't go there, why risk being found guilty of something I was innocent of? That said, if I had a vested interest in going to the US e.g. family I would probably approach it differently.I have no firm opinion about the allegations, but agree the interview was a car crash and did Andrew no favours.

Andrew Jones ● 1901d

I agree with Andrew Jones and would not willingly go to the US to face charges of which I was innocent. Many a Brit in this situation has been forced to accept a plea bargain because they couldn't afford a few million for their defence.

Susan Kelly ● 1901d

Being a right royalist myself depending on who i would  candcuff him at the best possible moment and fly him over the pond to face the music. When you look at andrew with Epsteinreasons before qand after and the interview ,then listen to those girls or young women over the  "sexual pyramid scheme" to abuse girls,i could not care less about the little git. Watch Filthy Rich and you may change your mind But its a dirty rotten look coming from this side of the pond

Julian Pavey ● 1901d

Take TWOBeing a right royalist myself depending on who I would handcuff him at the best possible moment and fly him over the pond to face the music.When you look at Andrew with Epsteinreasons before and after and the interview, then listen to those girls or young women over the  "sexual pyramid scheme" to abuse girls, I could not care less about the little git.Watch Filthy Rich and you may change your mindBut it is a dirty rotten look coming from this side of the pond

Julian Pavey ● 1901d

Think the death of Epstein put a different take on things and the wholesituation 'unsteady' no I wouldn't go back, but if they feel he is guilty thenhe will have to face the consequences.

Janice Evans ● 1901d

I never see the 'interview'

Janice Evans ● 1901d

I have nothing against the monarchy, I'm not a republican but it was a 'Car Crash' of an interview. Some of what Andrew said stretched the bounds of credulity Janice.

Andrew Jones ● 1901d

Oh, not good.

Janice Evans ● 1901d

Remember this is a civil suit. He's not been accused of any criminal offence. The standard of proof in a criminal case is such that conviction would be extremely unlikely without evidence corroborating Virginia Giuffre's account.

Robert Fish ● 1901d

'Unless we could swop him for Anne Sacoolas.......'For once I find myself in complete agreement with you Richard.

Vanessa Smith ● 1901d