Prince Andrew's sex abuse lawsuit scandal is seen as 'unsolvable problem' by Royals, says source
PRINCE Andrew's sex abuse lawsuit scandal is seen as an "unsolvable problem" by the Royal Family, a source has said.
The Duke of York, 61, is said to be having crisis talks with lawyers by phone after joining the Queen at Balmoral supported by daughter Eugenie.
Royals believe that the problem is "unsolvable" following Ms Giuffre’s lawsuit – which says she was “forced to have sexual intercourse with Prince Andrew against her will” and lists offences including “rape in the first degree”.
This comes after the Met Police's Dame Cressida Dick said Andrew is "not above the law," and that a review into the case is underway.
The Prince of Wales, 72, is said to be “furious” with his brother as he attempts to protect the monarchy from another scandal – but the issue is an "unsolvable" one.
A source close to Charles told The Times: “The prince loves his brother and has the ability to have sympathy for the slings and arrows that his brother endures, whatever the reasons may be.
"His ability to support and feel for those having a tough time is well known.
“However, this will be unwelcome reputational damage to the institution. He has long ago concluded that it is probably an unsolvable problem.
“This will probably further strengthen in the prince’s mind that a way back for the duke is demonstrably not possible, because the spectre of this accusation raises its head with hideous regularity.”
Experts say the case could rumble on for two years – potentially overshadowing the Queen's Diamond Jubilee next year – and cost the Duke millions.
The Duke of York stepped back from all of his 230 charity patronages in 2019, with Buckingham Palace indicating that he hoped to return to his public roles at some point.
Following the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral, it was claimed that Andrew was preparing for his return as recently as February this year.
In May this year it was reported that almost 50 organisations had quietly or publicly removed Andrew as patron.
But Buckingham Palace still lists dozens of organizations that he is supposedly the patron for.
The shock comments from his brother come after reports that Andrew may also lose his HRH titles over the lawsuit.
It was revealed earlier this week that Prince Andrew does not have diplomatic immunity that could protect him from the sex abuse lawsuit filed by Epstein victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre.
It is the first time he has been subject to litigation over the allegations that Roberts, then 17, was forced to have sex with him after being trafficked by Epstein and his alleged "madam" Ghislaine Maxwell.
'UNSOLVABLE PROBLEM'
Andrew fiercely denies any allegations, says he has no memory of even meeting Roberts, and has said he had no suspicions of Epstein's wrongdoing during their friendship.
Roberts' new 15-page lawsuit – which is pursuing substantial damages over her allegations – is reopening the case to scrutiny as she claims she was "lent out for sexual purposes" and "compelled" to have sex with Andrew.
Her legal team argue she was a "frightened, vulnerable child with no one there to protect her" when she was allegedly abused by Andrew, saying "no person, whether President or Prince, is above the law".
It is believed that the Duke of York will not be able to invoke the special diplomatic immunity which is enjoyed by his mum, The Queen.
Members of the immediate royal household are considered immune – but Andrew is not believed to be included in this bracket, especially after he stepped back from his duties.
Meanwhile, the crisis surrounding Prince Andrew may get much worse as a second sexual assault claim could be made against him.
Jeffrey Epstein’s former PA Johanna Sjoberg claims the Duke of York, 61, groped her breast when she was 21 years old.
Previously she had been unable to sue because of the amount of time that had passed.
SEX ABUSE LAWSUIT
But a likely change in US law could mean Ms Sjoberg may now be able to have her allegations heard in court.
In June, the New York State Senate passed the Adult Survivors Act, which relates to survivors of sex crimes who were 18 or older when abused.
If signed into law it will ensure those who stayed silent are able use civil courts to seek justice.
Victims whose cases were previously too old to prosecute will have a year from the time law comes into force to bring any legal actions.
Unsealed documents at the time revealed Andrew allegedly touched Johanna, then aged 21, when they posed for a picture.
In her testimony in 2016, she said Andrew and Virginia Giuffre – then Roberts – were sat on a couch with a Spitting Image puppet on her lap.
She added: “And so then I sat on Andrew’s lap – and I believe on my own volition – and they took the puppet’s hands and put it on Virginia’s breast, and so Andrew put his on mine.”
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