Prince Andreu not cooperating with Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation, prosecutors say

U.S. prosecutors say Prince Andrew is not cooperating with the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation (opens in new tab), The Guardian reported, adding that both the FBI and New York federal prosecutors are willing to talk to Andrew in the sex trafficking probe. But at a press conference in front of Epstein's Manhattan home on Monday, Jeffrey Berman, attorney for the Southern District of New York, said there have been "zero" offers of cooperation from the royal family. Buckingham Palace declined to comment to the paper.

Speaking to the BBC last year, Andrew said, "I am willing to cooperate with the appropriate law enforcement agencies in their investigation if necessary." However, according to The Guardian, he will not be compelled to testify, meaning that Andrew can avoid participating in the investigation altogether."

Epstein's accuser, Virginia Giuffre, claimed that she was forced to have sex with Andrew in 2001 when she was 17 years old, and told the BBC that she was "horrified and embarrassed" by the incident. The royal family has repeatedly denied the allegations, stating that they "do not recall" meeting with Giuffre.

Lisa Bloom, a lawyer representing five of Epstein's accusers, told BBC News (opens in new tab) on Tuesday, "I'm not going to be a part of this. So it's time to stop the deception and come forward to do the right thing and answer the questions."

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"'Berman' has no authority to summon Prince Andrew as part of a criminal investigation," Bloom continued, the Guardian reported (opens in new tab).

"'Prince Andrew, you said you would fully cooperate with law enforcement and you didn't.'

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