Prince Andrew denies witnessing anything ‘suspect’ during meetings with Jeffery Epstein

World Saturday 24/August/2019 17:28 PM
By: Times News Service
Prince Andrew denies witnessing anything ‘suspect’ during meetings with Jeffery Epstein

London: Prince Andrew has commented on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, saying he did not "see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction”.

The Duke of York has been under fire for his former friendship with the billionaire financier, who killed himself earlier this month in US custody while awaiting trial for alleged sex trafficking earlier this month.

Following on from a brief statement from Buckingham Palace, Prince Andrew has made his first comments on the matter since the suicide, saying he "would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour”.

He said: "It is apparent to me since the suicide of Epstein that there has been an immense amount of media speculation about so much in his life. This is particularly the case in relation to my former association or friendship with Epstein.

"Therefore I am eager to clarify the facts to avoid further speculation.”

The Duke of York said he met Epstein in 1999 and "saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year", but acknowledges that he "stayed in a number of his residences".

"At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”