PRINCE Andrew will still face prosecution in the US over Virginia Roberts’ sexual abuse claims despite the Met Police dropping the case.
The force announced they were taking “no further action” after carrying out two reviews into claims made against the Duke of York.
But although UK cops have now terminated their investigations into allegations made against him and Epstein, Andrew still has to face the music stateside.
Virginia Roberts is attempting to sue the royal in a New York court after alleging that she was forced to have sex with him three times when she was 17.
Andrew has vehemently denied the allegations – which have been examined by the Met on at least two previous occasions.
But he could have to stump up millions in damages if a US jury finds he is liable, according to legal experts.
If the court ruled in Roberts’ favour, it could see Andrew become the focus of a US criminal investigation linked to the accusations, Nick Goldstone, head of dispute resolution at international law firm Ince, said.
US authorities could take “greater interest” into his alleged activity and pursue him for the alleged crimes.
But because the Epstein victim’s civil claims are being brought under the New York Child Victims Act (CVA), there isn’t any legal standing for the court’s rulings to be upheld in the UK.
But if a criminal case begins in the US involving the Prince, the attorney told iNews that he “could be subject to being summoned by the criminal authorities.”
He suggested Andrew might be slapped with an extradition warrant or request from US prosecution authorities.
Roberts filed a civil lawsuit in August accusing the Duke of “rape in the first degree” – but Andrew’s lawyers claimed he had not been properly “served”.
He has twice bolted to Balmoral this summer to hide with the Queen and avoid US lawyers attempting to present the claims.
But his attorneys finally conceded that they had received the legal papers relating to the complaint after their attempt to get the case thrown out.
ROBERTS’ RELEASE
In his latest bid to end the lawsuit, the Hollywood legal team successfully argued to receive a copy of a 2009 settlement signed by Ms Roberts.
Lawyer Andrew B. Brettler says the accuser had entered into a “settlement agreement” that would end her current claim against the prince.
Roberts’ legal team agreed to hand over a copy of the “release” regarding her settlement with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, despite concerns it could scupper her bombshell lawsuit.
Andrew’s attorneys hope the clause will exempt Queen’s second son from any culpability in her sex assault claims against him – but Virginia’s lawyers have branded it “irrelevant”.
The secret agreement is said to not apply to the royal – instead releasing lawyers, employees, agents and heirs from liability in connection with the Epstein case.
Andrew now has until October 29 to respond to the allegations, with his lawyers promising to “dismantle” his sex accuser’s allegations in detail.
FAMILY FALL OUT
But it seems the rest of the royals have already written off the scandal-hit Duke, as his siblings held a summit nine months ago and decided there was “no way back” for him.
Charles, Anne and Edward held a crisis meeting in January where they ruled he should never return to public life.
It was also reported that Prince William sees his uncle as a threat to the monarchy’s future.
The Queen paying Andy’s legal fees from her Duchy of Lancaster income is also causing a backlash against the royals.
Her Majesty has reportedly been forking out millions on her son’s legal battle since the start of 2020, just after his disastrous interview on Newsnight with Emily Maitlis.
