Accuser’s Epstein deal ‘will not save Andrew from court’

THE legal settlement Prince Andrew hopes will get his sex assault case dismissed will not protect him from a lawsuit filed by his accuser Virginia Roberts, two sources have told the Mail.

Lawyers for the Duke of York have asked to see a secret document signed in 2009 by Miss Roberts to resolve a civil case she brought against Jeffrey Epstein, claiming it will release Andrew from liability.

But two people close to the case insist the confidential agreement does not apply to him, dealing a potentially major blow to the duke’s chances of avoiding a courtroom showdown over her claims.

The settlement releases lawyers, employees, agents and heirs from liability in connection with the Epstein case, the Mail has been told. It did not include any additional provision for Andrew and did not mention him by name, it is understood.

Informed sources told the Mail the legal agreement would do little to aid the duke’s defence. One source said: ‘There is no Prince Andrew clause.’ Another said: ‘If Prince Andrew is relying on this for his defence, it won’t go very far.’ A spokesman for the duke declined to comment.

Miss Roberts, who filed the lawsuit in New York last month, claims she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times when she was 17. The duke has repeatedly and strongly denied her allegations.