Prince Andrew should be banned from all royal engagements while Epstein controversy is ongoing, royal author Angela Levin says
PRINCE Andrew shouldn’t be allowed on any royal engagements while the Jeffrey Epstein controversy is ongoing, royal author Angela Levin demanded today.
The embattled royal was pictured at Dartmouth Royal Regatta last week in what was his first public appearance since his paedo pal’s apparent suicide on August 10.
Andrew has strenuously denied any wrongdoing and insisted he knew nothing of the American billionaire’s sordid activities.
But some have questioned his judgement for continuing to associate with Epstein – with the pair pictured together in 2010, after he admitted paying for sex with kids.
And speaking on GMB today, Ms Levin insisted the prince should be suspended from all royal duties.
She told Piers Morgan: “I think he needs to step back, I don’t think he should go off to regattas and all those sort of things.
“He should withdraw [from public life] for the moment.”
The royal biographer added: “He’s a patron of 30 charities that protect children. I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the suggestion Prince Andrew should be banned from taking part in official royal duties.
But in an earlier statement the prince said: "I met Mr Epstein in 1999. During the time I knew him, I saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year. I have 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."
But despite his statement, lawyers for Epstein’s victims last week demanded Prince Andrew travel to the US to be quizzed under oath.
'WE'LL GET ANSWERS'
Epstein victim Virginia Roberts alleges that she slept with the Duke of York three times – claims the royal vehemently denies.
And her lawyer David Boies said: “Anybody can deny things in a printed statement.
“It’s a different thing to come here, answer questions under oath, subject to cross-examination.
“Those are the kinds of answers that we are eventually going to get.”
And Ms Levin today joined in with calls for him to return to the US for a grilling.
She told Piers Morgan: “If he’s not worried at all that he’s done anything wrong he should go and speak about it.
“He should go to America and talk to whoever wants to talk to him and try and clear it up – not least for these young girls to feel like they have some sort of closure.”
Epstein died in an apparent suicide in jail, where he was being held awaiting trial on a string of child sex trafficking charges.
He had denied the charges and was being held in prison until his trial where he was facing up to 45 years in prison if convicted.
Multiple women have filed civil lawsuits against Epstein's estate since his death seeking damages for the alleged abuse they endured.
And 16 of his victims stood up at a two-and-a-half-hour hearing last week to have their say, recounting how Epstein trapped them into performing massages on him – before abusing them.
Jeffrey Epstein's accusers: The brave women who have come forward to give harrowing accounts of their alleged abuse
Virginia Roberts Giuffre
Virginia Roberts, 36, (pictured second from left) claims she was Jeffrey Epstein's sex slave from the age of 17.
The mum-of-three, who now goes by the surname Giuffre, alleges she was "lent out" by Epstein for sex with Prince Andrew - claims the royal vehemently denies and were struck out by a US court.
What she's said: "He will not have his day in court, but the reckoning of accountability has begun, supported by the voices of these brave and beautiful women in this courtroom today.
"The reckoning must not end — it must continue.
"He did not act alone and we, the victims, know that."
On Prince Andrew: "He knows what he has done and he can attest to that.
“He knows exactly what he's done - and I hope he comes clean about it.”
Anouska De Georgiou
Anouska De Georgiou is a British actress who starred in the 2004 Jude Law movie Alfie.
She is the daughter of former debutante Barbara and millionaire financier Anthony.
After being educated at Marlborough College, De Georgiou turned down a place to study law at Oxford to concentrate on modelling.
She initially found fame as a model, starring in campaigns for Guy Laroche and Pussy Glamore lingerie before working in movie.
The actress has also dated David Hasselhoff.
She claims she had been abused by Epstein as a teenager after meeting him when she was “young and idealistic”.
What she's said: "Something I think is very important to communicate is that loss of innocence, trust, and joy that is not recoverable.
"The abuse, spanning several years, was devaluing beyond measure and affected my ability to form and maintain healthy relationships, both in my work and my personal life.
"He could not begin to fathom what he took from us."
Jennifer Araoz
Jennifer Araoz, 32, accused Epstein of raping her in his New York mansion when she was a 15-year-old aspiring actress.
She claims she was given $300 to perform massages on Epstein in her underwear.
What she's said: "He robbed me of my dreams.
"He robbed me of my chance to pursue a career I always adored.
"He stole my chance at really feeling love because I was so scared to trust anyone for so many years that I had such severe anxiety.
"I didn't want to leave my house, let alone my bed."
Sarah Ransome
Sarah Ransome was among the young girls ferried to Epstein's private "paedophile island".
She told previously of trying to swim off the Caribbean island after apparently having her passport stolen by alleged "madam" Ghislaine Maxwell.
What she's said: "I would like to acknowledge and extend my gratitude to the prosecutors from the Southern District of New York for pursuing justice on behalf of the victims.
"Please, please finish what you have started.
"We, the victims, are still here, prepared to tell the truth, and we all know he did not act alone.
";We are survivors, and the pursuit of justice should not abate."
Teala Davies
Teala Davies says she was 17 when she was abuse by Epstein - who she believed was the most powerful man in the world.
What she's said: "I was going to start this statement by saying that I was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein.
"But that's not the case. I'm still a victim of Jeffrey Epstein.
"I'm still a victim because the fear of not being heard stopped me from telling my story for so many years...
"I'm still a victim because I am fearful for my daughters and everyone's daughters...
"I'm still a victim because the 17-year-old Teala was manipulated into thinking she had found someone who cared, someone who wanted to help."
Courtney Wild
Courtney Wild claims she was sexually abused by Epstein when she was 14 in Palm Beach, Florida.
She previously revealed she was still a braces-wearing 14-year-old schoolgirl when Epstein allegedly forced her to perform sex acts.
What she's said: "Jeffrey Epstein robbed myself and all the other victims of our day in court to confront him one by one, and for that he is a coward."
Chauntae Davies
Chauntae Davies (pictured far left) claims she was sexually assaulted by Epstein after she was groomed into giving him a massage.
She worked as an air hostess on Epstein's private plane - dubbed the Lolita Express.
What she's said: "I began my massage, trying not to let him smell my fear and obvious discomfort, but before I knew what was happening, he grabbed onto my wrist and tugged me towards the bed.
"I tried to pull away, but he was unbuttoning my shorts and pulling my body onto his already naked body faster than I could think.
"I was searching for words but all I could say was, 'No, please stop,' but that just seemed to excite him more."
Michelle Licata
Michelle Licata was among Epstein's accusers in the previous criminal case in Florida in 2008.
She claims she was lured to Epstein's Palm Beach resort aged 16 and told "you're just so beautiful and sexy".
What she's said: "What happened to me occurred many years ago when I was in high school, but it still affects my life.
"I was told then that Jeffrey Epstein was going to be held accountable, but he was not.
"In fact, the government worked out a secret deal and didn't tell me about it.
"The fact that I mattered this time and the other victims mattered is what counts."
Maria and Annie Farmer, sisters
Annie Farmer (pictured second from right) was 16 when she was introduced to Epstein by her then-25-year-old sister Maria.
Both sisters claim that they were assaulted by Epstein and alleged "madam" Ghislaine Maxwell that year.
Annie has said on behalf of her sister Maria: "Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell not only assaulted her, but as we're hearing from so many of these brave women here today, they stole her dreams and her livelihood.
"She risked her safety in 1996, so many years ago, to report them — to no avail — and it is heartbreaking to her and to me that all this destruction has been wrought since that time."
Marijke Chartouni
What she's said: “[I came forward] to be a voice to the victims who may not be able to tell their story, or at least not yet.”
Theresa J. Helm
What she's said: "That experience for the last 17 years has been a dark corner in my story.
"So I'm here today because it is time to bring light to that darkness, and it's time to replace that darkness with light."
"Jane Does"
A dozen accusers testified anonymously as "Jane Doe" against Epstein at a court hearing after his death in New York.
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