Photo: Karwai Tang/WireImage
Prince Andrewis facing more pressure to come forward and talk to the FBI about his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
U.S. attorney Geoffrey Berman said on Monday thatQueen Elizabeth’s son has not responded to their interview requests, reports theNew York Times.
After his disastrousBBC interview about his ties to Epsteinin November, Andrew announced he was stepping down from his public royal work. He also said that he would cooperate with prosecutors.
“Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required,” he said.
Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein.Ian Forsyth/Getty Images; Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan
Lisa Bloom, the attorney representing five of Epstein’s accusers, toldBBC Newsnighton Monday, “I’m glad that Geoffrey Berman has gone public to try to embarrass Prince Andrew, who made one statement and then behind closed doors is doing something very different.”
“The five Epstein victims who I represent are outraged and disappointed at Prince Andrew’s behavior here,” she continued. “If Prince Andrew truly has done nothing wrong then it’s incumbent upon him to go and speak to the FBI at a time that’s convenient for him and say what he knows. Perhaps he can help bring other people to justice.”
In an interview withSky Newson Monday, Bloom added, This is really a slap in the face to the victims, to the five who I represent, to the probably hundreds more who alleged that Jeffrey Epstein sexually assaulted them. Why doesn’t he want to cooperate? I think that’s the question. What is it that he is trying to hide? What is he afraid of?”
“Prince Andrew has a moral obligation to volunteer to speak to law enforcement — that’s what he said he would do,” she said.
Despite the scandal, Andrew — the father ofPrincess BeatriceandPrincess Eugenie— has been seen out with the Queen. They have been riding horseback together and he joined her ata church servicein Sandringham earlier this month.
source: people.com
