Prince Andrew's lawyers to examine 'multiple inconsistencies' in sexual assault accusations
The Duke of York’s “wall of silence” strategy is over as his lawyers prepare to turn the tables on his accuser and examine her “multiple inconsistencies” in forensic detail.
A well-placed source last night spelled out a “significant” change in tack, vowing to “robustly” engage with the legal process in order to clear Prince Andrew’s name by fighting allegations that he sexually assaulted the then 17-year-old Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
Despite delaying initial legal proceedings by refusing to acknowledge the lawsuit and insisting he had not been adequately “served” with the legal papers, the Duke’s lawyers are now ready to go into combat.
It emerged on Friday that the Duke has until October 29 to respond to the complaint. A document lodged with the court revealed that counsel for both sides had spoken by telephone to agree the timeframe after the Duke accepted that legal papers had been served.
A source close to the Duke told The Telegraph: “By launching this civil case, Mrs Giuffre has actively invited legal scrutiny of her own version of events.
“This provides an opportunity for the Duke’s team to properly scrutinise the multiple inconsistencies in her narrative that have emerged over the years, and you can expect to see a rigorous defence of all her allegations.”
Ms Giuffre claims she was forced to have sex with the Duke in London, at Jeffrey Epstein’s Manhattan townhouse and on his Caribbean island. The Duke has insisted he has “no recollection” of meeting her.
Andrew Brettler, the experienced Los Angeles-based counsel who will spearhead his defence in a New York court, remains convinced that the inconsistencies in her account will prove her undoing.
Ms Giuffre originally claimed that the Duke drank a cocktail, when he is teetotal, and alleged there were four encounters, when her writ only details three.
There are also discrepancies in her various accounts concerning dates and locations.
Notably, in her unpublished memoir, which has appeared in court records, Ms Giuffre detailed a two-day encounter with the Duke at Epstein’s New Mexico ranch, a memory which she later admitted was incorrect.
A well placed source with knowledge of the proceedings said: “The decision to bring in high-profile US lawyer Andrew Brettler to fight the civil case marks a significant turning point in approach, and the US team will be looking to robustly engage and challenge the claims from Mrs Giuffre in a bid to provide the Duke with a platform to finally clear his name. They will be looking to examine and dismantle the claims one by one.”
It comes as Ms Giuffre’s lawyer acknowledged that the Duke had “a right” to access a confidential agreement she signed with Epstein in 2009.
David Boies asked a judge to release a copy of the financial settlement, stating that although he considered it “irrelevant” to the case, the Duke should be allowed the opportunity to review the release and make the appropriate arguments.
The Duke’s lawyers believe the agreement could make the claim invalid, as Ms Giuffre allegedly agreed not to sue any of Epstein’s friends or associates.
The move, while welcomed by the Duke’s camp, was considered a tactical move as both sides now seek to control the narrative and gain the upper hand.
