DUKE DUCKS OUT
Prince Andrew settlement – Five bombshells from royal’s statement as he dodges humiliating court showdown
PRINCE Andrew has settled with his sex crime accuser Virginia Roberts in a stunning U-turn.
The Duke of York announced his settlement in a joint letter, just weeks before he was due to face a gruelling court battle at the hands of top US lawyers.
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Andrew was preparing for a sensational two-day deposition next month which would have seen a number of humiliating details from his personal life exposed to the public.
The Duke is set to pay his settlement in the form of a donation to Virginia Roberts' charity, although the exact amount isn't known.
"Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out-of-court settlement," the shocking document submitted to a New York court reads.
"The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre's receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not being disclosed)."
David Boies, the ace US lawyer representing Roberts, told The Sun Online: "I believe this event speaks for itself."
It comes hours after Virginia lawyers claimed she had "lost" the infamous picture of her with Prince Andrew.
In a letter to Judge Lewis Kaplan, Boies said: "We write jointly with counsel for defendant to advise the Court that the parties reached a settlement in principal of the above-referenced action.
"The parties anticipate filing a stipulation of dismissal of the case within thirty (30) days.
"In the interim, the parties request that the Court suspend all deadlines and hold the action in abeyance."
The settlement has potentially spared the Royal Family from a highly-embarrassing legal row, with Queen's favourite son fighting his accuser as a private citizen.
These are five bombshell takeaways from the joint statement issued on Tuesday by Boies and Prince Andrew's lawyer, Andrew Brettler.
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Regrets smears
In his dramatic statement, the Duke's lawyers write: "Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffre's character."
The statement adds that Giuffre was a victim of "unfair public attacks" after coming forward with her allegations about the prince.
This seems to be an acknowledgement that the Duke's legal defence made a mistake in demanding to see his accuser's mental health records.
Andrew's lawyers claimed in new court documents last month that Roberts "may suffer from false memories," and sought witness accounts from her husband Roberts Giuffre and psychologist Dr Judith Lightfoot.
They also said they wanted to examine any confidential notes taken during her counselling sessions and ask about any prescriptions written for Roberts by her doctor.
Andrew was accused of "victim-blaming" and "gaslighting"; by Dr Charlotte Proudman, a barrister and Cambridge academic who specialises in violence against women.
"Looking through her intimate, personal records when she would have told that person that information in the strictest confidence," she told Sky News last month.
"For that to be used, manipulated and twisted against her is likely to be harmful and extremely damaging, and probably will be traumatising."
This statement seems to express some regret for that tactic.
Prince Andrew has never intended to malign Ms Giuffre's character
Joint statement, court
Roberts is victim
Andrew's statement says that "he accepts that [Roberts] has suffered... as an established victim of abuse."
This is the first time he is believed to have publicly acknowledged that Roberts was abused, even if he has not acknowledged her claim that he abused her.
Previously, Andrew has always strenuously denied Roberts' allegations that he had sex with her on three occasions when she was a teenager.
Epstein regret
In the joint statement, Andrew's lawyers write: "It is known that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked countless young girls over many years.
"Prince Andrew regrets his association with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others."
This represents a sharp U-turn on his position in November 2019, when he was asked if he regretted his friendship with the paedophile in a BBC interview.
Speaking to Newsnight's Emily Maitlis, Andrew said: "Now, still not and the reason being is that the people that I met and the opportunities that I was given to learn either by him or because of him were actually very useful."
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Settlement amount is unknown
It isn't known how much Andrew's settlement to Roberts will be.
Their statement reads: "The parties will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre's receipt of the settlement (the sum of which is not being disclosed).
"Prince Andrew intends to make a substantial donation to Ms Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights."
In 2009, Roberts received a settlement worth $500,000 (£370k) as part of an agreement with Jeffrey Epstein.
Vows to 'demonstrate regret'
The letter claims that Andrew "pledges to demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein by supporting the fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims."
It is not yet clear what actions Andrew intends to take in this fight against sex trafficking.
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He has been stripped of his royal titles and is effectively no longer an active royal.
Anything that he does will most likely be carried out as a private citizen.
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