Prince Andrew has reached an out-of-court settlement with accuser Virginia Giuffre to keep away from going to trial.
The Duke of York confronted a public listening to this autumn over allegations he sexually abused the American girl 3 times when she was simply 17, and whereas she was the sufferer of a trafficking ring orchestrated by billionaire paedophile Jeffry Epstein and his girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell.
The Duke has all the time strenuously denied the accusations.
Below civil regulation, agreeing to settle a case doesn't quantity to an act of contrition.
In a letter submitted to the USA District Court docket on Tuesday, Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies wrote collectively with Andrew’s attorneys to say that the events had ‘reached a settlement in precept’.
The letter indicated the quantity of the settlement won't be disclosed.
Court docket paperwork present the duke will make a ‘substantial donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in help of victims’ rights’.
Andrew has additionally pledged to ‘exhibit his remorse for his affiliation with Epstein’ by supporting the ‘combat in opposition to the evils of intercourse trafficking, and by supporting its victims’.
A press release filed to the court docket mentioned: ‘Virginia Giuffre and Prince Andrew have reached an out of court docket settlement.
‘The events will file a stipulated dismissal upon Ms Giuffre’s receipt of the settlement (the sum of which isn't being disclosed).
‘Prince Andrew intends to make a considerable donation to Ms Giuffre’s charity in help of victims rights.
‘Prince Andrew has by no means supposed to malign Ms Giuffre’s character, and he accepts that she has suffered each as a longtime sufferer of abuse and because of unfair public assaults.
‘It's recognized that Jeffrey Epstein trafficked numerous younger ladies over a few years.
‘Prince Andrew regrets his affiliation with Epstein, and commends the bravery of Ms Giuffre and different survivors in standing up for themselves and others.
‘He pledges to exhibit his remorse for his affiliation with Epstein by supporting the combat in opposition to the evils of intercourse trafficking, and by supporting its victims.’
In January, the duke’s attorneys submitted 11 explanation why the case in opposition to him needs to be dismissed, saying he demanded a trial by jury to show his innocence.
Mr Boies, mentioned his shopper and authorized workforce had been wanting ahead to ‘confronting’ the royal about his ‘denials’.
Representatives for Andrew mentioned he wouldn't be increasing past the assertion filed in court docket.
When requested for additional remark, Virginia Giuffre’s lawyer Mr Boies mentioned: ‘I imagine this occasion speaks for itself.’
The information will come as an enormous aid to the royal household, who feared the scandal would overshadow the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
Andrew confronted having to testify in open court docket this autumn after makes an attempt to get the case in opposition to him thrown out failed.
The senior royal’s authorized workforce had questioned the legality of the case after the phrases of a earlier settlement with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein got here to gentle.
However that enchantment was rejected in January after a fractious court docket listening to, paving the way in which for a full listening to during which Andrew could be compelled to testify.
It was broadly reported members of his household can also have been deposed.
Andrew has already successfully been banished from the royal household after being stripped of his royal duties final month.
Sources near each Charles and William have mentioned prior to now there isn't any manner again for him.
Lawyer Lisa Bloom, who represents eight victims of Jeffrey Epstein, welcomed the settlement as a ‘victory’ for Virginia Giuffre.
She wrote on Twitter: ‘My assertion on behalf of the 8 Jeffrey Epstein victims I characterize:
‘We hail Virginia’s victory at present. She has completed what nobody else might: getting Prince Andrew to cease his nonsense and facet with sexual abuse victims. We salute Virginia’s beautiful braveness.’
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