Prince andrew ‘unlikely to face trial’ – lawyers ‘hope for settlement’

The Duke of York, 61, is to face a civil trial in the US over claims by Virginia Roberts Giuffre that he sexually assaulted her when she was 17. The Queen’s son, who has vigorously denied

all the allegations against him, sought to have the case dismissed. However, New York judge Lewis A Kaplan on Wednesday rejected arguments by the Duke’s legal team for the case to be thrown

out, paving the way for a trial later this year. Following the ruling, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Andrew’s military titles and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

Questions have now been raised about whether Andrew and his lawyers will fight for a financial settlement with Ms Giuffre in a bid to get her to drop her legal action against him. Daily

Mirror royal editor Russell Myers has claimed it is “unlikely” Andrew will stand trial as he discussed the possibility of the Duke settling, arguing that a high proportion of similar cases

end up being settled out of court. The journalist spoke on the latest episode of regal-themed podcast ‘Pod Save The Queen’, hosted by Zoe Forsey yesterday. He said: “I think all the legal

experts are really pointing to the fact that he really has run out of road with his arguments now. JUST IN:MEGHAN MARKLE URGED TO SPEAK TO POLICE ABOUT PRINCE ANDREW 'IF SHE KNOWS

ANYTHING' “Whether he does actually face a trial I think will be an astonishing and very unlikely event. “When you look at the evidence, it is a fact that around 97 to 99 percent of

these litigation cases in the US do get settled before reaching trial. “That is what Prince Andrew will be hoping for now, however, both sides need to come to an agreement.” Ms Giuffre’s

lawyer David Boies has refused to confirm reports that his client is interested in pursuing a settlement, but suggested she is not only motivated by money. He told the BBC’s ‘Newsnight’: “A

purely financial settlement is not anything that I think she’s interested in.” Last month, Maxwell was found guilty by a jury in New York of trafficking young girls for Epstein to abuse, but

her legal team plans to appeal the verdict. Andrew previously had a close friendship with both Epstein and Maxwell. Mr Myers claimed Ms Giuffre’s case against the Duke is motivated by her

wish to get justice for victims of sexual abuse. He said: “Virginia Giuffre wants her day in court. She has become a poster girl for victims. “She is fighting this fight not only for

herself, but for other women who have been abused. “Not only by Epstein, not only allegedly by Ghislaine Maxwell, but women who have been abused in the wider sense as well, so it remains to

be seen.” TO SUBSCRIBE TO ‘POD SAVE THE QUEEN’ GO TO YOUR NORMAL PODCAST PROVIDER.