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During that now-infamous BBC interview trying to outline his innocence regarding the claims made by Virginia Roberts Giuffre, Prince Andrew claimed he had a condition that prevented him sweating.

Well, following the arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell yesterday, Jeffrey Epstein’s partner in crime, that will be put to the test, and you can bet the prince is struggling to fall asleep at night.

The FBI swooped in and nabbed Maxwell at a luxury hideaway in a small town in New Hampshire yesterday, and she is being charged in relation to sex crimes, conspiracy, and perjury as part of Epstein’s sex abuse ring.

With all that going on, it’s once again all eyes on the Duke of York, reports the Telegraph:

The Duke has already faced serious questions over his friendship with Epstein, but has so far been accused by US prosecutors of failing to provide a suitable level of cooperation.

He has always denied allegations made by Virginia Roberts Guiffre, who claims they had sex on three separate occasions including when she was 17.

Ms Maxwell’s arrest, and any testimony she provides, could now provide the key, with the British socialite thought to have the ability to fully corroborate his denials to the FBI on record, or provide evidence leading to new areas of investigation.

Not quite a spoiler, but I don’t see how Maxwell’s evidence is going to somehow absolve Prince Andrew.

He’s been saying he’s willing to talk to the FBI, and assist with any investigation, but that has not proven to be the case thus far:

One source close to the Duke told the Telegraph last night that he’s still determined to help however he can:

“The Duke’s team remains bewildered given that we have twice communicated with the DOJ in the last month and to-date, we have had no response,” they said.

On what he should do now, Nigel Cawthorne, author of recent biography Prince Andrew, Epstein and the Palace, said: “The prince should take a very deep breath, swallow his ego, and follow humbly the advice of the experts who are advising him to the letter – no ifs and no buts.”

Wouldn’t it just be so lovely to watch a powerful and connected chap like Andrew fall on his sword and be held to account for his alleged crimes?

Whilst Andrew is banging on about how he’s happy to help, the FBI and US investigators must be licking their lips at the prospect of interviewing him.

This from a second Telegraph report:

Audrey Strauss, acting US attorney for the Southern District of New York, said she “would welcome Prince Andrew coming in to talk with us. We would like to have the benefit of his statement,” prompting speculation that he may among those investigators focus their attention on next…

The Duke is last known to have met Ms Maxwell at Buckingham Palace in the summer of 2019, two weeks after US prosecutors announced they wanted to reopen their investigation into Epstein.

Here’s where things get really interesting. Maxwell is clearly bereft of any morals, and there’s a feeling amongst many that she will throw anyone under the bus in order to secure a lighter sentence.

A full list of the charges she faces:

In fact, Strauss is dropping hints that Maxwell may spill the beans:

“They could be putting on pressure on,” the former prosecutor said: “They knew where she was, they were just building a case. If they felt she was a true flight risk they would have grabbed her sooner.

“They obviously wanted to get their ducks in a row. They’ll have been going through emails, computers, all that.”

Mrs Strauss hinted at the prospect. “In the event that she were to become a co-operator, I think that we can deal with that,” she told reporters.

You can read more on that here.

Are we finally going to see Prince Andrew in the dwang, and made to answer for a decades-long relationship with Maxwell and Epstein?

Man, wouldn’t that be sweet?

If you haven’t yet, watch Netlix’s Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich – it’s mindboggling stuff.

[sources:telegraph&telegraph]