London (AFP)
Prince Andrew, accused by the British press for his links with Jeffrey Epstein, said on Saturday he had never "seen" or "suspected" of sexual abuse by the US financier sued for raping minors and found dead in prison.
"At no time during the limited time that I spent with him, did I see, witness or suspect any behavior of the kind that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction," said the Duke. York via a statement from Buckhingham Palace.
Queen Elizabeth II's second son defended his friendship with Mr. Epstein and "clarified the facts to avoid further speculation".
He explains that he met Jeffrey Epstein in 1999 and later saw him "irregularly and probably not more than once or twice a year", also indicating that he had stayed in "several of his residences".
He also reaffirms his "regret" for having seen Mr. Epstein after the release of the American in 2010. He had served a prison sentence after being convicted in 2008 for driving girls to prostitution in Florida.
Charged with sexual assault on minors, Jeffrey Epstein was again arrested and charged in early July for organizing for several years, a network of dozens of girls under his control, with whom he had sex in its many properties , especially in Manhattan and Florida.
He was found dead on August 10 in his New York cell, the results of the autopsy confirming a suicide by hanging.
"His suicide leaves many questions unanswered," says Prince Andrew, expressing his "compassion all those affected by his actions and his attitude".
"This is a difficult time for all involved and I am unable to understand or explain Mr. Epstein's lifestyle, I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not tolerate, participate, or would encourage such behavior. "
© 2019 AFP