Duke of York 'appalled' by Jeff Epstein sex allegations

HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York has broken his silence. Photo / Getty Images

The Duke of York has reacted for the first time to the Jeffrey Epstein sex scandal.

Speaking after new footage emerged of the 59-year-old royal staying in the disgraced financier's flat in 2010, the Duke said he was "appalled" by recent reports.

In a statement released to The Daily Telegraph, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "The Duke of York has been appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged crimes. His Royal Highness deplores the exploitation of any human being and the suggestion he would condone, participate in or encourage any such behaviour is abhorrent."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, left and Prince Andrew, the Duke of York leave Crathie Kirk, after a Sunday morning church service, in Crathie, Scotland. Photo / AP

Having appeared at church alongside his mother the Queen in Balmoral last weekend, the Duke was conspicuous by his absence at Crathie Kirk yesterday. He is currently holidaying in the Spanish resort of Sotogrande with his ex-wife, Sarah, Duchess of York.

The statement followed the release of a video showing the Duke peering out from behind the door of Epstein's £63 million Manhattan mansion, waving goodbye to a brunette.

Less than an hour earlier Epstein had been seen leaving the New York property with a young blonde woman.

The footage is from December 2010, when the Duke, then the UK's Special Representative for Trade, stayed with Epstein in his New York home – two years after Epstein was convicted of sex with a child and placed on the sex offender register.

The Duke previously conceded he had made an "error of judgment' after pictures emerged from the same trip of the pair in Central Park.

Jeffrey Epstein. Photo / AP

Buckingham Palace recently repeated their "emphatic denial" of allegations against the Duke made by Virginia Roberts, one of Epstein's victims.

A spokesman said: "This relates to proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party. Any suggestion of impropriety with under-age minors is categorically untrue.

"It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts.

"Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation."