Andrew’s civil case: What was alleged and what has been agreed?

The Duke of York and Virginia Giuffre reached a settlement on Tuesday.

Josh Payne
Tuesday 15 February 2022 17:14 GMT
The Duke of York (PA)
The Duke of York (PA)

The Duke of York and Virginia Giuffre have reached an out-of-court settlement in the civil case filed in the US.

Here, the PA news agency looks at what was alleged against Andrew and what has happened up until this point.

– Who is Virginia Giuffre?

Virginia Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, alleges she was trafficked by disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell to be molested by financier Jeffrey Epstein and his friends.

Virginia Giuffre (Crime+Investigation/PA)

– What case did Andrew face?

Ms Giuffre brought a case of battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress against the duke.

It was claimed she was trafficked by convicted sex offender Epstein and others to Andrew, who is alleged to have sexually abused her when she was under the age of 18.

– How many allegations did the duke face?

Court documents have referenced three separate occasions in which Ms Giuffre accuses him of sexual misconduct.

– Where is the alleged sexual abuse said to have taken place?

Ms Giuffre claimed Andrew had sex with her against her will at Maxwell’s London home.

Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein (US Department of Justice/PA)

She also alleged the royal forced her to engage in sex acts against her will at Epstein’s mansion on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

The duke is also alleged to have sexually abused Ms Giuffre on another occasion during a visit to Epstein’s private island, Little St James.

– What reasons has Andrew previously given for the case against him to be dismissed?

In January, the duke submitted 11 reasons why the case should be dismissed, including that Ms Giuffre’s claims are “barred by the doctrine of consent” and by “her own wrongful conduct”.

– Will Andrew have to face a civil trial?

Now the case has settled out of court, the duke will not have to face a trial.

The Duke of York, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell (US Department of Justice)

– What happens now a settlement has been reached?

The parties have said they will file a “stipulation of dismissal” within 30 days, meaning they will file a notice to discontinue the case now it has been settled.

Before the stipulation is filed, the parties have asked for all deadlines and court action to be suspended.

– What do we know about the details of the agreement reached between Andrew and Ms Giuffre?

The sum of the settlement has not been disclosed but the duke will make a “substantial donation” to Ms Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.

He has also pledged to “demonstrate his regret for his association with Epstein” by supporting the “fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims.”

– Will the substantial charity donation be made from Andrew’s own private money?

Representatives of the duke declined to comment on the source of funds for the donation.

– What have both sides said about the settlement?

Andrew’s representatives said they would not be commenting further than what was said in the court documents.

David Boies, the lawyer acting on behalf of Ms Giuffre, said: “I believe this event speaks for itself.”

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