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The Duke of York served as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment for 10 years – a spell that ended in July 2011 as his suitability for the job came under question. A key reason for this was his link to Epstein – who was due to stand trial for sex trafficking last year before he killed himself in prison. Prince Andrew has also been accused of having sex with trafficking victim Virginia Roberts Giuffre on three separate occasions. Buckingham Palace has denied these claims, and said they were “false and without foundation”. But this didn’t prevent Andrew from stepping back from royal duties after a disastrous interview with BBC Newsnight’s Emily Maitlis last year.

In the interview, he said he would assist with investigations into Epstein and his former partner Ghislaine Maxwell, who has also been arrested on charges of sex trafficking.

However, US prosecutors have claimed Prince Andrew has not cooperated with their requests for an interview.

Maxwell was arrested on July 2 and denies the charges against her.

Prince Andrew invited the British socialite to Buckingham Palace in June last year, The Sun claimed.

That Maxwell was allowed into the iconic royal setting attracted fresh criticism.

A source told the Sun: “Andrew’s arrogance is breathtaking. To invite a woman accused of such serious wrongdoing into the heart of the Royal Family simply beggars belief.”

Another source added: “The Duke and Ghislaine met at the Palace. She brought four other people with her.

“They were all smartly dressed and looked very official, very serious and business-like.

“There was no way it was a social occasion. They stayed for about two hours.”

The Telegraph has also recently claimed that Maxwell was taken on a private tour of Buckingham Palace organised by Andrew.

She was joined by Kevin Spacey – who was accused of sexual misconduct in 2018 – claims the Hollywood actor denies.

Pictures emerged of the pair posing on thrones.

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the photograph. A spokesperson for Prince Andrew also declined to comment.

This week, an extradition lawyer told Sky News it is “very likely” the UK government will play some part in deciding if and when Prince Andrew talks to authorities in the US about Jeffrey Epstein.

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Lawyer Karen Todner said: “From my understanding the Americans are not happy about Prince Andrew giving a prepared statement, that’s not what they want from him, they want to have the opportunity to ask him questions and for him to be under oath when he does that.”

She added: “Prince Andrew doesn’t have diplomatic immunity so if the process has started it will follow through.

“There are various reasons that the UK authorities would have to look at to show that the mutual legal assistance request was valid, that it was asked for the right reasons, but I can’t see any issues with that at the moment.”

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