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Topics: Prince Andrew, Ghislaine Maxwell, UK News
Charlie Cocksedge
Prince Andrew has responded to allegations of sexual offences made against him by Virginia Roberts Guiffre, issuing 41 denials.
Last night, January 25, Prince Andrew's official response demanded a 'trial by jury' as he rejected all claims of any wrongdoing and denied suggestions he was a close friend of convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
As well as the 41 denials, however, the prince's response said a further 40 times that he 'lacks sufficient information to admit or deny' other claims.
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In addition, the prince submitted a total of 11 defences arguing the case should be dismissed, saying Guiffre's claims should be thrown out because of 'her own wrongful conduct' and 'unclean hands', MailOnline reports.
Another factor the prince's response asked the court to consider was the issue of consent. 'Assuming, without admitting, that Giuffre has suffered any injury or damage alleged in the complaint, Giuffre's claims are barred by the doctrine of consent,' the document reads, BBC News reports.
The document also says Prince Andrew 'admits that he met Epstein in or around 1999', but denies taking part in any abuse with him.
Elsewhere in the document, the prince claims he 'lacks sufficient information to admit or deny the allegation that there exists photographic evidence of his alleged meeting with Giuffre', despite the alleged photo being shared widely.
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As for lacking 'sufficient information to admit or deny' up to 40 claims against him, among them are: knowledge that Epstein was a registered sex offender when Prince Andrew visited him in 2010; flight logs of the prince on Epstein's private jet or that he visited his private island; if photographic evidence of his alleged meeting with Guiffre 'exists'; whether he sent emails to Maxwell stating he had 'some specific questions' to ask her 'about Virginia Roberts' in 2015.
Prince Andrew's response also says the case should be dismissed on the basis of Guiffre, in a legal agreement with Epstein, signing away a right to sue.
David Boies, attorney for Guiffre, responded to the prince's filing, saying: 'Prince Andrew's answer continues his approach of denying any knowledge or information concerning the claims against him, and purporting to blame the victim of the abuse for somehow bringing it on herself.'
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Prince Andrew, who is now contesting his case as a private citizen, has consistently denied the allegations.
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