By M10News Royal Desk | London
An MP has called on the royal family to clarify how Prince Andrew funded a settlement in the sexual abuse case brought by Virginia Giuffre, who accused the prince of sexually assaulting her as a teenager.
Call for Transparency
Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, said there was “a lot of clarity” needed regarding the reported £12 million payment made in 2022.
Maskell, who has campaigned for years to strip Andrew of his Duke of York title, emphasised the importance of transparency for Giuffre’s surviving family.
“I think honesty is so important. Virginia Giuffre no longer is with us, but she has family. It’s important that everyone has transparency. There is no space for obfuscation, no matter how embarrassing it is,” Maskell told M10News.
Prince Andrew Surrenders Titles
On Friday, Prince Andrew announced he would no longer use his title of Duke of York. However, he will retain the dukedom legally, as removal can only be achieved through an act of parliament.
In a statement, Andrew said he decided after discussions with King Charles III:
“It was concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family.”
Settlement Details
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, brought a civil case against Andrew in New York, alleging sexual assault on three occasions when she was 17. Andrew denied all allegations but agreed to settle the case out of court.
Reports indicate that part of the settlement included an agreement for Giuffre not to repeat her accusations for a year to avoid overshadowing Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee.
Rumours suggest that the late Queen may have partially funded the settlement from her private Duchy of Lancaster income.
Political Moves and Proposed Legislation
Maskell, who lost the Labour whip in July over welfare policy rebellions, previously introduced a bill aimed at giving the monarch powers to remove titles either independently or after a parliamentary recommendation. She told M10News she plans to reintroduce the legislation next week, noting potential support from other MPs.
“Polling in 2022 showed 80% of York residents did not want the title continued because of its association with our city. That’s why I have stood firm,” Maskell added.
Prince Andrew’s Residency and Lifestyle
Andrew continues to reside at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, despite having no notable income beyond his naval pension. He holds a 75-year lease on the property and is responsible for its maintenance. Reports suggest he has resisted King Charles’s attempts to relocate him to nearby Frogmore Cottage.
Resurfaced Communications with Epstein
Last weekend, the Mail on Sunday and Sun on Sunday reported that Andrew contacted Epstein the day after a photo emerged showing him with his arm around a teenage Giuffre.
In 2019, during his infamous Newsnight interview with BBC journalist Emily Maitlis, Andrew claimed he had cut ties with Epstein. However, the newspapers cited an email in which Andrew allegedly told Epstein:
“I’m just as concerned for you! Don’t worry about me! It would seem we are in this together and will have to rise above it. Otherwise keep in close touch and we’ll play some more soon!!!!”
Family and Survivor Reactions
Sky Roberts, Giuffre’s brother, described Andrew’s decision to surrender his titles as a “joyous moment.”
“I think her kids would be incredibly proud to know that their mom is an American hero. She’s an international hero. That all the years of work she put in is now coming to some sort of justice and these monsters can’t escape from it,” Roberts told the BBC.
Epstein accuser Haley Robson called the news “extremely bittersweet.”
“I have moments of joyous tears where I’m just flabbergasted that something finally broke,” she said.
M10News Royal Desk | Contact: royal@m10news.com
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