Prince Andrew named in underage ‘sex slave’ lawsuit over claims of forced sexual relations

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Prince Andrew named in underage 'sex slave' lawsuit over claims of forced sexual relations

Buckingham Palace calls allegations ‘categorically untrue’

The Independent reports: A woman has alleged that she was repeatedly forced to have sexual relations with Prince Andrew as part of a lawsuit that claims an American investment banker passed her around rich and powerful friends as a “sex slave” while she was still underage.

The accusation was made in a lawsuit brought by women who say they were exploited by Jeffrey Epstein, an American multi-millionaire who was convicted of soliciting sex with an underage girl in 2008, reports the Guardian.

The woman filed the case anonymously, and is understood to have been 17 at the time, which is considered a minor under Florida law.

The prince is not a named party in the legal claim, and has not had any opportunity to respond to the allegations. He has previously denied any sexual contact with young women associated with Epstein or any knowledge of his behaviour.

Buckingham Palace has denied “any suggestion of impropriety with underage minors” by Prince Andrew, after he was named in US court papers, according to the BBC:

The palace said it would not comment in detail on the legal proceedings.

A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said: “This relates to long-standing and ongoing civil proceedings in the United States, to which the Duke of York is not a party.

“As such we would not comment on the detail. However, for the avoidance of doubt, any suggestion of impropriety with under age minors is categorically untrue”.