Lawyer Accuses CPS of 'Clearly Erroneous' Decision in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Case
The Crown Prosecution Service has been accused of a significant failure for declining to bring a case against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor ten years ago, despite being presented with what has been described as compelling evidence. David Boies, the prominent American lawyer who represented Virginia Giuffre, has claimed that the 2016 decision by both the CPS and the Metropolitan Police was fundamentally flawed and represented a missed opportunity for justice.
Substantial Evidence Ignored According to Legal Expert
Mr Boies stated unequivocally that substantial evidence existed showing Andrew had sexual relations with Ms Giuffre in London during 2001, when she was just seventeen years old. This encounter allegedly occurred after she was transported to the capital by the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The lawyer emphasized that photographic evidence, including an image of Andrew and Virginia together in Ghislaine Maxwell's London residence, had been publicly available since 2011.
'The idea that they didn't know it was happening in the UK is not sustainable,' Mr Boies declared during an exclusive interview. 'Prosecutors generally have failed to pursue sex trafficking even when the evidence of it was presented and even when much of the evidence was public.'
Jurisdictional Arguments and Recent Developments
In 2016, both the Metropolitan Police and the CPS asserted they were not the appropriate authorities to investigate, arguing that much of the alleged criminal conduct occurred outside British territory. They issued a joint statement in November of that year confirming no further action would be taken. However, this position has come under renewed scrutiny following the recent release of three million files concerning Epstein by the United States Department of Justice.
The Metropolitan Police is now one of eleven UK police forces actively investigating the operations of Epstein's sex trafficking network within Britain. This development follows Andrew's recent arrest for misconduct in a public office, relating to allegations he passed sensitive information to Epstein. The former prince was questioned for eleven hours on his sixty-sixth birthday before being released from a police station in Aylsham, Norfolk.
Legal Proceedings and Settlements
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied all allegations made by Virginia Giuffre, famously stating during his 2019 BBC Newsnight interview that he had never met her. Despite these denials, he settled a battery case she brought against him in an American court during 2022 for a reported sum of ten million pounds. Ms Giuffre tragically took her own life in April of last year at the age of forty-one, never witnessing these recent legal developments.
Mr Boies revealed that in 2016, his legal team communicated with American prosecutors after filing a defamation lawsuit in New York against Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's associate often described as his 'madam.' According to the lawyer, these US prosecutors relayed the claims against Andrew to their British counterparts, but 'didn't get any response.'
Criticism of Investigative Failures
The lawyer was particularly critical of the decision not to investigate a decade ago, calling it 'clearly erroneous.' He argued there was 'no significant room for doubt' that Ms Giuffre had been loaned to Andrew by Epstein, based on Andrew's documented presence at Epstein's various properties and his interactions with multiple victims.
'There's substantial evidence based on Andrew's presence at Epstein's various residences, his interactions not just with Virginia but other victims as well that Andrew certainly should have known what was going on,' Mr Boies stated.
Royal Family Dynamics and Witness Testimony
Mr Boies praised King Charles for imposing 'ever greater sanctions' on his brother as the allegations grew more serious. He did not blame the royal family directly, noting that Andrew was reportedly telling them the same falsehoods he presented to the public. The lawyer also commented on the absence of Andrew's ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, from public view since his arrest, suggesting she needed to return to the United Kingdom to provide testimony as an important witness.
'The circumstances under which she gives her evidence I think can depend on what her exposure is but everybody with evidence ought to give it,' he remarked.
Tribute to Virginia Giuffre's Courage
Reflecting on his client's legacy, Mr Boies expressed profound sadness that Virginia Giuffre was not alive to see Andrew arrested. He credited her with initiating the legal actions that built the evidentiary record enabling subsequent prosecutions in the United States.
'Had it not been for Virginia the focus would never have been on Andrew. She was the one that first outed him, she was the person who persisted year after year enduring enormous abuse and attacks from Epstein and his cohorts,' he said emotionally. 'She was a woman of enormous courage, commitment and I think not to have her alive when people are even partially being held to account is very sad.'
Current Police Position and Future Prospects
In a statement issued recently, the Metropolitan Police confirmed they are assessing the Epstein files released by the US Department of Justice and actively seeking further details from international law enforcement partners. Commander Ella Marriott emphasized that while allegations from 2015 concerning trafficking to central London in March 2001 were thoroughly investigated, consultation with the CPS determined that international authorities were better placed to handle matters primarily occurring overseas.
The Met has reviewed its decision multiple times, most recently in 2022, and maintains that without new evidence of criminal acts within its jurisdiction, no further action will be taken. However, the force remains committed to assessing any new information that emerges. Regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Mr Boies concluded bluntly: 'This might be enough of a shock to get him to understand he is not above the law.'
