FBI 'parks' investigation into Prince Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
FBI 'parks' investigation into Prince Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein
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An investigation into Prince Andrew's friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has been "parked" by the FBI, insiders have claimed.
Agents and attorneys are said to be "beyond frustrated" at having to shelve the probe, according to a source.
It is understood that "no new leads have been found for quite some time" and the FBI's investigation into the Duke of York will not proceed until "new evidence is presented that can move the case forward".
A source close to the case told The Mirror: "The agents and attorneys who have, for years, worked diligently looking into Andrew's friendship with Epstein are beyond frustrated.
FBI 'parks' investigation into Prince Andrew's friendship with Jeffrey EpsteinGetty"They're angry that the probe has been parked."
According to claims in The Mail, investigators have spent less time focused on Andrew and Epstein in the last year, with resources now being directed towards the case against Sean "Diddy" Combs.
At the start of this year, Andrew was referenced multiple times in files unsealed by a US court relating to Epstein.
He was mentioned more than 70 times in nearly 1,000 pages of interviews and transcripts released in the US in connection with a 2015 defamation case brought by Virginia Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, who was jailed for sex trafficking young girls for Epstein.
Prince Andrew and Jeffrey Epstein photographed together in 2000
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The names of more than 170 people who were either associates, friends or victims of Epstein were made public following a judge's order, including high-profile figures such as former US president Bill Clinton.
The 64-year-old Prince Andrew has strenuously denied all allegations made against him.
In 2022, Prince Andrew settled a civil case out of court with Giuffre, with no admission of guilt after she accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.
Prince Andrew stepped back from royal duties in 2019 GettyLATEST ROYAL NEWS:
Prince Andrew was stripped of his HRH title and stepped down as a working member of the Royal Family
GettyThe duke sat down for a Newsnight interview in 2019, where he claimed he had "no recollection" of ever meeting Giuffre.
Shortly after the interview, the father-of-two stepped back from all royal duties.
Three years later, Andrew was stripped of his honorary military medals and titles by Queen Elizabeth II.