Epstein – Central News Hub

‘No probe into Prince Andrew over Epstein claims’

Andrew withdrew from frontline royal duties in late 2019 after public outrage at a BBC television interview in which he defended his friendship with Epstein…reports Asian Lite News

UK police said that no investigation has been launched into Prince Andrew after an anti-monarchy group filed a complaint based on recently released US court documents detailing people linked to accused sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A New York judge on Wednesday began to unseal the identities of those linked in the documents to disgraced US financier Epstein, who killed himself in 2019 while awaiting trial.

In them, Andrew, who is formally known as the Duke of York, is accused of groping a woman, which he denies.

Republic, which wants an elected British head of state, said in a statement on Thursday that “we’ve just reported Andrew to the police.”

Opposition Labour leader Keir Starmer — a former chief state prosecutor — also said Friday that police should “look at” the new claims. But the Metropolitan Police said that “no investigation has been launched”.

“We are aware of the release of court documents in relation to Jeffrey Epstein,” it said in a statement. “As with any matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention we will assess it,” added the force.

Andrew withdrew from frontline royal duties in late 2019 after public outrage at a BBC television interview in which he defended his friendship with Epstein.

The former Royal Navy helicopter pilot, 63, in February 2022 settled a US civil case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who claimed he sexually assaulted her when she was 17.

Andrew’s mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, stripped him of his honorary military titles and patronages soon afterward, effectively shutting him out of royal life.

He has consistently denied sexual assault and even meeting Giuffre.

The Metropolitan Police announced in October 2021 that it had closed its review into Giuffre’s claims in the US civil action, stating that it would take “no further action”.

ALSO READ-Clinton, Prince Andrew Named in Epstein Lawsuit Documents

Prosecutors allege Ghislaine ‘served up’ girls for Epstein

Maxwell has been in a US jail since her arrest last year and faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted…reports Asian Lite News.

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell set young girls up to be abused by “predator” Jeffrey Epstein, prosecutors have alleged.

Maxwell appeared in court in New York on Monday for the first day of her trial on sex trafficking charges, the BBC reported.

She denies the charges and her defence claims she is being used as a scapegoat for Epstein’s crimes, following his death in prison in 2019, it was reported.

But prosecutors argue the pair were “partners in crime” in sex abuse.

Maxwell has been in a US jail since her arrest last year, and faces up to 80 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors say Maxwell, who also has American and French citizenship, recruited and groomed underage girls for her long-term companion Epstein to abuse.

“She preyed on vulnerable young girls, manipulated them, and served them up to be sexually abused,” the BBC quoted Assistant District Attorney Lara Pomerantz as saying in her opening statement.

Epstein died in a New York prison cell on 10 August 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges in a federal case. His death was ruled to be a suicide.

ALSO READ-Canada confirms first cases of Omicron variant