Prince Andrew’s lawyers request US jury trial in Virginia Giuffre case

Lawyers for Duke of York, Prince Andrew have written to a US judge to demand a jury trial in a civil lawsuit brought by a woman who has accused him of sexual assault

Lawyers for the Duke of York revealed they had requested a trial amid allegations Prince Andrew sexually assaulted a woman when she was a teenager.

Virginia Giuffre, 38, claims that the Prince sexually assaulted her when she was a teenager at the homes of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The Duke of York has consistently denied all the allegations against him, stating he has “no knowledge” of meeting Giuffre

A US lawyer called the latest legal filings a “PR move”, saying Ms Giuffre had already asked for a jury trial.

Lisa Bloom, who represents a number of Maxwell’s and Epstein’s accusers, said Prince Andrew’s request was “meaningless” as it was Ms Giuffre’s constitutional right to have a jury trial if she asked for one.

In the court documents, filed on Wednesday, his legal team submitted a number of reasons why they believe the case should be dismissed.

One factor they asked the court to consider was the issue of consent.

The document said: “Assuming, without admitting, that Giuffre has suffered any injury or damage alleged in the complaint, Giuffre’s claims are barred by the doctrine of consent.”

The 11-page document states that Prince Andrew “admits that he met Epstein in or around 1999”, but denies that he participated in any abuse with the late financier.

Elsewhere, it denies Ms Guiffre’s claim that Prince Andrew was a close friend of Maxwell.

The document says: “Prince Andrew hereby demands a trial by jury on all causes of action asserted in the complaint.”