PRINCE Andrew faces a £14million payout after his sex-abuse accuser’s lawyer signalled she would reach a settlement if he admitted the claims against him.
The monster bill is far less than the duke would face if he lost a jury trial.
It was mooted as Virginia Giuffre’s veteran lawyer David Boies suggested for the first time she would accept a payout.
Leading US civil lawyer Spencer Kuvin said: “Damages against Andrew could range in excess of £14million.
“To punish someone worth a fortune you have got to hit them in their pockets and punish them accordingly.”
Speculation over the case was fuelled by Mr Boies’ remarks which came days after Andrew issued a denial of her claims in legal papers and demanded a jury trial in the US.
Ms Giuffre — who alleges Andrew sexually abused her when she was 17 — has previously insisted a financial settlement alone would not be enough for her.
Her lawyer — who has previously represented Hollywood sex offender Harvey Weinstein — said: “We would be unlikely to settle in a situation in which somebody has just handed over a cheque.
“So if Prince Andrew maintains ‘I’ve never heard of this person’, ‘the photographs are fake’, I don’t think we’d settle on that basis.
“That said, if you had a settlement that was large enough to be, in effect, a vindication, then that’s something we would obviously look at.”
London-based international lawyer Mark Stephens said he believed Andrew would have to pay between £5million and £10million to settle.
He added: “This has a very small chance of reaching court — probably five to ten per cent and Andrew simply has to settle.
“He has just sold his ski chalet in a fire sale to raise money so it’s clear he is looking at settling.
“David Boies has said Virginia wants her claims to be vindicated and they want an admission.
“I suspect that is the sticking point that is holding things up at the moment.”
