FBI closing Jeffrey Epstein case is ‘bad news’ for Prince Andrew
The case has been closedAs the FBI ends their investigation into those associated with Jeffrey Epstein, Prince Andrew may not be out of the woods just yet, according to a commentator.
For the last six years, Prince Andrew has been living at the Royal Lodge in Windsor. He feared he would be arrested if he left the UK. These fears stemmed from his connection to Jeffrey Epstein, which caused him to step down as senior royal working member in 2019.
Prince Andrew has strongly and repeatedly denied claims of any wrongdoing. But he later settled a lawsuit against the late Virginia Giuffre – who died by suicide earlier this year – for an unknown amount. He did not accept any liability as part of the settlement. But as investigations come to an end, no charges will be brought to Prince Andrew.
FBI close Epstein investigation involving Prince Andrew
Today (July 10) FBI investigators in the US concluded that no charges will be brought against Prince Andrew or any other associate of Epstein.
According to a new two-page memo from the FBI, investigators “did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties”.
According to The Sun, this may now mean he could soon decide to leave and be free to travel.
A friend of the prince’s told the outlet: “He has been abroad once since the scandal erupted. But without the FBI investigation hanging over his head, he will feel it’s safe to travel.
“He has always been very nervous about going abroad. he felt he would be looking over his shoulder as he could be subject to civil action or at worst, being arrested.”
But the friend admitted now that the case is “out of the way” Prince Andrew may feel safe to “leave the country”.
Royal biographer Nigel Cawthorne backed this up in an interview with Newsweek.
He told the publication: “He’s off the hook, isn’t he. The whole thing has run out of steam.”
The decision may mark ‘bad news’ for Prince Andrew
However, The Telegraph suggests that the closing of the case may actually not be a good sign for the prince.
For the past six years, Prince Andrew has remained vocal about his innocence. But the news that the FBI won’t be releasing any further files to the public won’t benefit him, the outlet says.
The publication suggested Andrew would have been better off if the FBI had’ve decided to make all files available to the public and then exonerate him “once and for all”.
Proving his innocence was Andrew’s aim back when he was insistent on pursuing Virginia Giuffre’s civil case through the courts.
Virginia accused the prince of raping and abusing her three times. But Prince Andrew strongly denied this. He was determined to take it to trial and clear his name.
But reports claim it was the late Queen Elizabeth II who decided it would be brought to a “swift end”.
The Telegraph went on to suggest that Prince Andrew’s reputation was “inflicted” a long time ago, and it could have been helped by the files becoming public knowledge.
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