Secret document 'will not save Prince Andrew from court'
Secret document Virginia Roberts signed in 2009 to resolve civil case she brought against Jeffrey Epstein ‘will not save Prince Andrew from court’
- Prince Andrew’s lawyers asked to see a document signed in 2009 by Roberts
- It was signed by Roberts to resolve a case she brought against Jeffrey Epstein
- The lawyers believe it may release the Duke from all liability for Roberts’ claims
- But two sources close to the case insist the agreement doesn’t apply to Andrew
The legal settlement Prince Andrew hopes will get his sex assault case dismissed will not protect him from a lawsuit filed by his accuser Virginia Roberts, two sources have told the Mail.
Lawyers for the Duke of York have asked to see a secret document signed in 2009 by Miss Roberts to resolve a civil case she brought against Jeffrey Epstein, claiming it will release the Queen’s second son from liability for her claims.
But two people close to the case insist the confidential agreement does not apply to him, dealing a potentially major blow to Andrew’s chances of avoiding a courtroom showdown over her claims.
The settlement releases lawyers, employees, agents and heirs from liability in connection with the Epstein case, the Daily Mail has been told.
It did not include any additional provision for Andrew and did not mention him by name, it is understood.
One source said: ‘I don’t see how this applies to Prince Andrew.’
Miss Roberts (C) claims that she was forced to have sex with Andrew (L) three times when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
The legal settlement Prince Andrew hopes will get his sex assault case dismissed will not protect him from a lawsuit filed by his accuser Virginia Roberts, two sources have told the Mail
Miss Roberts claims that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
She filed her bombshell lawsuit in New York last month.
The Duke has repeatedly and strongly denied her allegations.
The prospect of the settlement helping Andrew was raised this month by Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, who Miss Roberts separately sued for defamation and battery.
The case was dropped because he had given Epstein legal advice, meaning he qualified as a lawyer.
Mr Dershowitz told this newspaper that he thought the settlement was an ‘airtight defence’ for Prince Andrew, who Miss Roberts has sued for battery and infliction of emotional distress.
Informed sources told the Daily Mail the legal agreement would do little to aid the Duke’s defence.
One source said: ‘There is no Prince Andrew clause.’
Another said: ‘This doesn’t apply to friends or acquaintances.
If Prince Andrew is relying on this for his defence, it won’t go very far.’
A spokesman for Andrew declined to comment.
Last night Andrew’s lawyers made their first official engagement with the case by filing a ‘stipulation agreement’ at the New York court – a statement jointly submitted by both sides of the basic facts they all agree on.
The filing acknowledges that the Duke was served with legal papers on 21 September.
He would normally have 21 days to respond but both sides have agreed an extension until 29th October.
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