Second Woman Alleges Epstein Sent Her to UK for Encounter with Prince Andrew
A second woman has come forward claiming she was dispatched to the United Kingdom by the late financier Jeffrey Epstein specifically for a sexual encounter with Prince Andrew, according to her legal representative. The allegation adds to the mounting pressure facing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over his association with the convicted paedophile.
Details of the Alleged 2010 Encounter
The woman's lawyer, Brad Edwards of Edwards Henderson, informed the BBC that the purported incident occurred in 2010 at Royal Lodge, the former Windsor residence of the disgraced prince. The accuser, who remains unnamed and is not a British national, was reportedly in her twenties at the time.
Mr Edwards stated that following the night spent with Andrew, the woman was given a tour of Buckingham Palace. "We're talking about at least one woman who was sent by Jeffrey Epstein over to Prince Andrew. And she even had, after a night with Prince Andrew, a tour of Buckingham Palace," he told the broadcaster.
It is important to note that no concrete evidence has yet been presented publicly to substantiate these specific claims. The Independent has reached out to both Prince Andrew and Mr Edwards for comment regarding the allegations.
Renewed Scrutiny Following Latest Epstein Files Release
This new accusation emerges amidst renewed focus on Andrew's links to Epstein, spurred by the recent disclosure of documents from the US Justice Department. The latest tranche of so-called Epstein files includes photographs that appear to depict Andrew in a compromising position, though the context, location, and the identity of the other individual remain unclear.
The woman is now the second to allege she was brought to London for sexual purposes involving the former prince. Virginia Giuffre has previously claimed she had sex with Andrew on three occasions, including once in London when she was a minor aged 17. Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied all allegations made against him.
Legal and Political Pressure Intensifies
Brad Edwards, who represents over 200 alleged survivors of Epstein's trafficking network, indicated he is considering filing a civil lawsuit against Prince Andrew on behalf of this latest accuser. This potential legal action signifies the ongoing pursuit of accountability for Epstein's victims.
Concurrently, political pressure is escalating from the highest levels of the UK government. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has asserted that the former Duke of York should be prepared to testify before the US Congress concerning his connections to Epstein.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed added to the calls for transparency, stating that Andrew "clearly has insight into what was going on." However, Mr Reed declined to speculate on whether the government would entertain a potential future extradition request from the United States, describing such a scenario as "entirely hypothetical."
The backdrop to these developments includes Epstein's 2008 conviction for soliciting a minor for prostitution and his death in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. Andrew was stripped of his royal titles and military affiliations in 2022 amid the fallout from the Giuffre lawsuit.
