Epstein files: Latest emails and pictures dig even deeper hole for Andrew

By Alistair Finch, Senior Correspondent, BBC News

LONDON – Newly unsealed documents from the trove of files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein have revealed a proposed, but never used, public relations statement for Prince Andrew that appears to directly contradict his own landmark public denials regarding his relationship with Virginia Giuffre. The draft statement, intended for media release, seems to accept that the Duke of York met with Ms. Giuffre on at least one occasion, a stark departure from his previous claims of having no recollection of ever meeting her.

This revelation, emerging from the latest tranche of court documents, intensifies the scrutiny on the Duke's handling of the scandal and the internal discussions that took place as his team scrambled to manage the spiraling crisis.

Why It Matters

The existence of this draft statement is significant not for what it denies, but for what it appears to concede. It suggests that behind the scenes, Prince Andrew's advisors may have considered a strategy that involved acknowledging the meetings with Giuffre to lend credibility to their denials of the more serious allegations of sexual assault. This strategy was ultimately abandoned in favour of the complete denial he presented in his now-infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview.

Driving the News: The Proposed Statement

The document outlines a potential line of response to media inquiries. It reads, in part: "The only time I recall them meeting was at my home in 2001 in London - you have published a photo. They did not have sex. They may have met again in New York but I categorically state that Prince Andrew did not grope Ms xxx."

The draft continues with further explicit denials: "Nor did they have sex. There was no orgy in Little St James."

A Breakdown of the Draft

The proposed text, though never published, reveals a clear, albeit abandoned, communications strategy.

• Conceding the London Meeting: The statement seems to accept the infamous 2001 photograph showing Andrew with his arm around a 17-year-old Virginia Roberts (now Giuffre) at Ghislaine Maxwell's London home as proof of a meeting. This directly challenges Andrew’s public questioning of the photo's authenticity.

• Acknowledging a Possible New York Meeting: The line "They may have met again in New York" opens the door to a second encounter, which has been a central part of Ms. Giuffre's allegations.

• Issuing Categorical Denials: The core of the proposed statement is a firm denial of any sexual contact or assault, specifically mentioning groping, sex, and an alleged orgy on Epstein's private island, Little St. James.

The Core Contradiction

The key conflict lies in comparing this private draft with Prince Andrew's most significant public statement on the matter—the 2019 BBC Newsnight interview.

• The Public Stance: In the interview, Prince Andrew told Emily Maitlis he had "no recollection of ever meeting this lady [Virginia Giuffre], none whatsoever." He attempted to discredit the 2001 photograph by stating he did not display affection in that manner and that he was at a Pizza Express in Woking with his daughters on the night of one of the alleged encounters.

• The Private Strategy: The unsealed document shows his team was, at some point, drafting a statement that accepted the London meeting as fact and conceded a New York meeting was possible. This suggests that the "no recollection" defence may have been a chosen public narrative, rather than the only one considered.

Background: A Timeline of Crisis

The Epstein scandal has cast a long shadow over the Duke of York, leading to his effective removal from public life.

• November 2019: Prince Andrew partakes in the BBC Newsnight interview in an attempt to clear his name. The interview is widely seen as a public relations disaster, leading to his announcement that he would "step back from public duties for the foreseeable future."

• August 2021: Virginia Giuffre files a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew in New York, alleging he sexually assaulted her on three separate occasions when she was a minor under Epstein's control.

• January 2022: Buckingham Palace announces that, with the Queen's "approval and agreement," the Duke of York’s military affiliations and Royal patronages had been returned to the Queen. He ceases to use the style "His Royal Highness" in any official capacity.

• February 2022: Prince Andrew reaches an out-of-court settlement with Ms. Giuffre for an undisclosed sum, reported to be in the millions of pounds. The settlement included no admission of liability but stated the Duke "never intended to malign Ms. Giuffre's character" and acknowledged she had "suffered as an established victim of abuse."

The Bottom Line: Renewed Damage

For Prince Andrew, the legal case may be closed, but the court of public opinion is not.

• Implications for the Duke: These latest revelations serve to further erode his credibility. They paint a picture of a legal and PR team exploring various narratives, one of which directly undermines the story he personally presented to the public. While he cannot be tried again in the civil case, each new document release re-ignites the scandal and reinforces the negative public perception.

• Impact on the Monarchy: For the Royal Family under King Charles III, the continued association of Prince Andrew with the Epstein scandal remains a significant reputational liability. While the Duke is no longer a working royal, the saga continues to be a damaging distraction and a reminder of a crisis that the monarchy has been unable to fully contain.

• What's Next: The unsealing of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein's network is an ongoing legal process. It is highly probable that more emails, flight logs, and testimony will become public, ensuring this story will continue to develop and potentially implicate other high-profile individuals. For Prince Andrew, any hope of a return to public life appears more distant than ever.