Prince Andrew's defiant 41-denial response to Virginia Roberts' sex abuse lawsuit puts him on a 'collision course with the palace' as he demands a JURY trial and says Ghislaine Maxwell was NOT his 'close friend'
Disgraced royal files legal papers denying all of Virginia Roberts allegations
The documents submitted today contain 41 denials of claims raised by Roberts
Prince Andrew says he 'lacks sufficient information to admit or deny' 40 claims
The Duke of York's legal team requested he be granted a trial by jury in the US
The Royal also claimed Ghislaine Maxwell was not a 'close friend' in legal papers
It comes after Andrew's motion to have the case thrown out was denied in Jan
Prince Andrew himself may well be forced to take the stand in New York this year
By Rebecca English Royal Editor For The Daily Mail and David Averre For Mailonline
Published: 14:22 EST, 26 January 2022 | Updated: 18:27 EST, 26 January 2022
Prince Andrew last night demanded a 'trial by jury' as he hit back at accusations of rape and sexual assault made by a Jeffrey Epstein 'sex slave'.
In his official response to claims made against him by Virginia Roberts five months ago, the Queen's son issued 41 denials, rejecting all allegations of wrongdoing – but said a further 40 times that he 'lacks sufficient information to admit or deny' other claims.
He also submitted 11 defences calling for the case to be dismissed, including that Miss Roberts' claims should be barred by 'her own wrongful conduct' and 'unclean hands'. His decision to go ahead with the case puts him in contravention with the Royal Family who, sources say, are 'desperate' for him to settle and avoid the spectacle of a trial in New York later this year during the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
A source said: 'Andrew is on collision course with the Palace over this.' Earlier this month the Queen 'swiftly and ruthlessly' forced Andrew to step down from his remaining royal patronages and demanded he fight the case as a 'private citizen'.
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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10445007/Prince-Andrew-files-legal-papers-DENYING-Virginia-Robertss-sex-abuse-allegations.html
