In Prince Andrew’s legal fight with the woman who is accusing him of sexual assault, his lawyers asked for confidentiality.
Andrew Brettler of the United States, who is representing the Duke, requested that US District Judge Lewis Kaplan keep Andrew’s response secret to Virginia Giuffre’s claims. The Times reports.
Andrew can question Andrew’s rights to question Andrew’s ability to make a conditional agreement with Jeffrey Epstein. She claims that Giuffre also abuses her. He stated the bidding was done ‘without prejudice to Andrew’s right.
Giuffre (aged 38 and 17 when the alleged abuse occurred) claims she was forced by Andrew to have sex on three separate occasions in 2001.
Lawyers for the Duke, who has consistently and vehemently denied her claims, are scheduled to argue for a dismissal of the lawsuit at a hearing before Judge Kaplan in Manhattan on January 4, 2022.
This report was made shortly after two of the Duke’s friends were seen laughing and sharing jokes while riding on horses in Windsor Castle.
Prince Andrew made a joke while riding his pony in Windsor. His lawyers were preparing to dismiss the suit at an hearing in Manhattan, January 4, 2022.
Pictured with two other riders, The Duke of York smiled as he climbed across the grounds around the castle.
Giuffre sued Andrew for unspecified damages in August, saying he forced her to have sex at the London home of former Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell.
He was also accused of molestation at Epstein’s Manhattan homes and in the US Virgin Islands.
Andrew has “unambiguously” denied Giuffre’s claims, accusing her of trying to get ‘another payday’ in order to maximize her profits from Epstein’s association.
In a separate case, Maxwell’s family and friends have requested anonymity in order to testify at her defense when she goes on trial later in the week.
Maxwell faces an 80 year sentence for six charges of sex traficking. She will be defending herself in New York when her attorneys launch the case.
She is accused of possessing underage and female girls to be sold as a favor for billionaire Jeffrey Epstein. The charges are denied by the socialite, who vehemently disputes them.
Virginia Giuffre (pictured below), who was 17 and 38 at the time of the abuse claims that she was forced to have sexual relations with Andrew on three occasions.
Giuffre, pictured following the August 2019 criminal case against Epstein. Andrew was sued by Giuffre for unspecified damages. She claimed that he made Giuffre have sex in London at the home of Ghislaine Maxwell (ex-colleague with Jeffrey Epstein).
On Friday, the prosecution dropped its case after Annie Farmer called. Annie Farmer said she had been abused and fondled by Maxwell while she was 14 years old.
Christian Everdell representing Maxwell asked the court for permission for some witnesses from defense to withhold their names as requested. They stated that “people who testify may get a lot more attention, especially if it is Ms Maxwell.”
Judge Alison Nathan stated that she will consider it.
Maxwell had several bail hearings during which Maxwell’s family and friends wrote anonymously to court asking for her bail. They also vouch for Maxwell’s good character.
Maxwell faces an 80 year sentence for six charges of sex traficking. She will be defending herself in New York when her attorneys launch the case
After calling Annie Farmer (pictured), the prosecution ended its case Friday. Annie Farmer testified she was abused and fondled by Maxwell at 14 years old.
According to a lawyer involved in the case, “People have lost their lives by linking their names with Ghislaine’s.”
“She supports any action to defend those who are willing to speak for her.” Although she is innocent, and is determined to prove her innocence, she is also anxious that no lives or reputations will be destroyed.
It is possible that the defense will last for two to three days. This could mean the case goes to the jury in December. Maxwell’s lawyers are concerned that jurors may rush to give a verdict prior to the holiday season.
MailOnline reached Andrew’s lawyer for comment.