The Duke of York has hired Britain’s most respected extradition lawyer to fend off an FBI inquiry into his friendship with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Telegraph can reveal. Prince Andrew is receiving legal advice from Clare Montgomery QC, the leading expert on extradition law, whose clients have included Augusto Pinochet, Chile’s former dictator and Nirav Modi, wanted for India’s biggest fraud. She has been described as “the most formidable member of the bar.” Ms Montgomery is being briefed by Gary Bloxsome, a criminal defence solicitor who has defended British troops against war crime allegations and is understood to have been appointed directly by the Duke. The powerful legal team was assembled by the Queen’s 60-year-old son following a demand by the FBI and US prosecutors to interview him about his relationship with Epstein. Yet their identities have been shrouded in secrecy, with Buckingham Palace aides refusing to reveal who is acting for the Duke. The disclosure that he is using such an eminent team of lawyers suggests the Duke is taking hugely seriously the threat of investigation by the FBI. It is understood to be the first time the Royal Family has needed to use such a powerful team of criminal lawyers. Ms Montgomery, a senior barrister at Matrix Chambers, which was co-founded by Cherie Blair, is thought to command fees of around £1,000 an hour.

Clare Montgomery has previously been instructed by Augusto Pinochet and Nirav Modi

She is also one of the most highly respected specialists in criminal and fraud law and is well known for her work on legally and factually complex cases. Her clients have included Shrien Dewani, the newlywed charged and acquitted with murdering his new bride in South Africa. She also worked on behalf of the British government in the high profile case of British “superhacker” Gary McKinnon as he fought extradition to the US. She prosecuted the Metropolitan Police when it stood trial under health and safety legislation for failures leading to the death of Jean Charles de Menezes, shot seven times in the head during a failed anti-terror operation. An online profile of Mr Bloxsome reveals that he often receives instructions from “leading companies and ultra-high net worth individuals” in international jurisdictions as well as in the UK. He is also known for reputation and crisis management. A partner at Blackfords, where he is co-head of the dispute resolution team, he shares a love of golf with the Duke. One acquaintance said: “He’s as sharp as a blade, he’s absolutely brilliant.”