Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts. Photo / Supplied
Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts. Photo / Supplied
The Duke of York begged Jeffrey Epstein's alleged "madam" to clear his name by publicly defending him but she refused, it has been claimed.
Ghislaine Maxwell is the only other person said to have been present on the night Virginia Roberts Giuffre has alleged she was forced to sleep with him when she was 17. The Duke categorically denies the allegations.
"Andrew pleaded with Ghislaine to publicly defend him," a source told the New York Post. "She carefully considered it, but decided no good would come of it. It isn't in her best interests."
As a result, the Duke went ahead with his own disastrous television interview that effectively resulted in his sacking from public duties.
BBC Newsnight's Emily Maitlis, left, during an interview in London with Prince Andrew. Photo / AP
The interview, on BBC's Newsnight, backfired when the Duke failed to show any empathy for the late Epstein's victims or regret over his friendship with the paedophile financier.
Ms Maxwell, a close friend of the Duke's, went into hiding after Epstein killed himself in prison in August while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. It was claimed yesterday that she is being protected by her network of powerful friends and associates in "safe houses" all over the world.
Although the British socialite has not been seen in public for several months, she has been helping with an ongoing investigation into Epstein's crimes.
She recently sent a letter urging a judge not to unseal a series of documents which have depositions from 29 people, including a number of new witnesses.
Ms Maxwell is last known to have met the Duke in the summer at Buckingham Palace, two weeks after US prosecutors announced they wanted to reopen their investigation into Epstein.
The meeting took place on or about June 5, the day before Ms Maxwell took part in a four-day charity motoring rally from London to Monte Carlo. It is thought to be the last time that she came to Britain.
The Duke said in his Newsnight interview that it was the last time he was in touch with Ms Maxwell, with whom he has been friends for decades, inviting her to a "straightforward shooting weekend" at Sandringham and to Princess Beatrice's 18th birthday party at Windsor Castle.
Asked if the pair had discussed Epstein at the meeting, he replied; "No, actually - funnily enough, no, not at all.
Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts. Photo / Supplied
"There wasn't anything to discuss about him because he wasn't in the news."
Ms Giuffre said in an interview with the BBC's Panorama that she was trafficked from the US by Epstein to sleep with the Duke in 2001.
She alleged that on arrival in London she was introduced to the Duke and then taken to Tramp nightclub in Mayfair with him, Epstein and Ms Maxwell.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the claim that the Duke had begged Ms Maxwell to clear his name.
