REPORTAGE
Prince Andrew, mired in controversy over his ties to billionaire Jeffrey Epstein and dropped by many of the companies and universities with which he worked, announced Wednesday "end his public commitments" and said "ready to help "investigate this case. "If he were innocent, why would he leave?" Nicola reacts in the streets of London. "Besides, he has two daughters, how would it feel if it were his daughters the victims? I find it disgusting to be honest," she rebels.
The British turn their backs
The prince's descent into the underworld began in August with the publication in the US of court documents in which a woman, Virginia Roberts, claimed to have had sexual intercourse with the prince to whom Epstein had coerced her on three occasions. she was 17, in 2001. The publication of a photo showing her at this time, entwined by the prince, with Ghislaine Maxwell (accused by several victims of having "recruited" them) in the background, did the rest, as well as another shot of the Prince walking around New York with the financier even though he was convicted and jailed for pedophilia in 2008.
An attempt to explain in a failed interview with the BBC eliminated the lack of support the Duke of York still enjoyed. "Everybody got rid of their ridiculous excuses, everyone I talked to was outraged, had their eyes on the sky, it's good that he's withdrawing, it's the best way to limit the damage," Judge Aisha, another Londoner.
"Sorry, mom!"
This Thursday, the case has once again made the front page of all British daily except the Financial Times . "Sorry, Mom!" Mocked the Daily Mirro's , for example, by posting a picture of the prince in a car after an interview with his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, at Buckingham Palace.
"The Duke retires after crisis talks with the Queen," headlined the Times with the same photo. "Paria" commented in large print the tabloid Daily Mail , while other newspapers evoked the "shame" of Prince Andrew and his humiliation after the announcement of his withdrawal from public life. According to the press, it was the queen who pushed her own son to the exit. "She had no choice," said Jeremy, a resident. "She is the boss, the public must see her react, she protects her image too."
Summoned to collaborate in the investigation
Not satisfied with having to resign from his official duties, the prince is now put on notice by the lawyers of the alleged victims to tell what he knew about the activities of the financier, found dead in prison after being accused of having sexually exploited minor girls for years.
"We believe that no one is above the law and that anyone should answer questions if they have relevant information, and he (Prince Andrew) clearly has relevant information," said Master Lisa Bloom. Thursday evening, at BBC Radio 4. The night before, on the BBC, another lawyer, Gloria Allred, had ordered the prince to "contact unconditionally and without delay" the US authorities, even before a possible summons. "We know that Prince Andrew has had many contacts with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, and we believe that anyone who has had a lot of interaction with them should talk not only to law enforcement, but also to the lawyers of victims, people like me, "said Lisa Bloom, who represents five alleged victims of Epstein.
In a statement, Prince Andrew, who was criticized for his lack of regret and empathy for the alleged victims in his BBC interview, said he "unequivocally regrets (his) misguided association with Jeffrey Epstein" and " deeply sympathize with all those affected "by the affair.
A statement by His Royal Highness The Duke of York KG. pic.twitter.com/solPHzEzzp
- The Duke of York (@TheDukeOfYork) November 20, 2019