The Duke of York's friendship with Jeffrey Epstein ultimately ended in acrimony after his wife called the financier a "paedophile" and refused to retract the statement.

Sarah, Duchess of York's public comment in 2011 enraged Epstein, who telephoned her publicist and threatened to sue her unless she took it back.

James Henderson, the publicist, told CNN he had a "deeply unpleasant" conversation with Epstein that left him hoping he never had to speak to him again.

The bitter fallout happened after the Duke and Epstein were photographed together walking in Central Park, New York in late 2010.

Publication of the picture in newspapers the following February led to criticism of the Duke over his decision to spend time with Epstein.

The businessman had, two years previously, been convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution in Florida.

Amid the storm the Duke subsequently stepped down from his role as UK trade envoy.

Epstein was believed to have seen the Central Park photograph published on the front page of the New York Post, under the headline "Prince & Perv".