JEFFREY Epstein’s sex trafficking victims have indicated that they want to sue Prince Andrew in a fresh blow to the royal.

Dozens of women abused by paedo Epstein – including the Duke of York’s accuser Virginia Roberts – are close to striking a compensation deal with the dead billionaire’s estate.

6 Prince Andrew had faced criticism over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein Credit: Jae Donnelly

But in court paperwork, lawyers for the victims stress that any agreement with the sex beast’s estate should make clear that “certain individuals” are not released from any potential liability.

One bombshell email from lawyer David Boies, seen by The Sun, adds that the certain individuals include: “Prince Andrew or others to whom our clients were trafficked”.

Virginia Roberts – who Mr Boies represents – claims that she was trafficked by Epstein to Andrew for sex three times when she was a teenager.

The prince, 60, has vehemently denied Virginia’s allegations, but has been unable to explain how he came to be pictured with her in a 2001 photograph.

He also released a statement saying he had been "appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged crimes" and stating that at "no stage" during his time with Epstein did he "see witness or suspect any behaviour" that led to the financier's arrest.

Emails revealing the latest explosive twist in the Epstein scandal were revealed in court documents filed this week in the US Virgin Islands.

Lawyers for victims of the serial predator – who killed himself in jail last August - are negotiating with co-executors of his estate, Richard Kahn and Darren Indyke.

The email from David Boies, sent on April 7 this year, makes it clear that any settlement would not allow Prince Andrew to be “released”.

He said: “I am now in agreement that we should move forward with the claims process.”

Mr Boies adds that victims who accept an award will have “a space to make clear that certain individuals (e.g. Prince Andrew or others to whom our clients were trafficked) are not released.”

This means that if Epstein’s victims receive payments - expected to be in the millions of pounds - they can still go after the duke.

UNDER SCRUTINY

But Epstein’s estate is willing to give Ghislaine Maxwell immunity as part of the arrangement and shell out to victims on her behalf, the court papers reveal.

The British socialite is accused of being Epstein’s pimp – procuring him girls and even taking part in the abuse. She has denied all the claims against her.

Virginia is also suing Maxwell, 58, for defamation in a separate legal case.

Legal paperwork filed in the case yesterday indicated that Virginia’s lawyers believe Maxwell was communicating using a secret email account.

A document lodged with a New York court – but still kept secret from the public – is headlined ‘Motion to Compel Ghislaine Maxwell to Produce Data from Undisclosed Email Account’.

Maxwell, a close pal of Prince Andrew, has previously been revealed to have been in email contact with the royal.

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A BBC Panorama investigation last year found that Andrew sent an email to Maxwell at 5.50am in January 2015 to let her know he had “specific questions” about Virginia Roberts.

The prince asks Maxwell: “Let me know when we can talk. Got some specific questions to ask you about Virginia Roberts.”

She responded: “Have some info. Call me when you have a moment.”

6 Virginia Roberts in tears during her BBC Panorama interview Credit: BBC One

6 Andrew denied Virginia Roberts' claims during a BBC Newsnight interview

6 An infamous picture appears to show Andrew with Ms Roberts as Ghislaine Maxwell stands in the background

6 Jeffrey Epstein died awaiting trial for sex trafficking offences Credit: AP:Associated Press

6 Prince Andrew stepped back from his royal duties amid the controversy Credit: Getty - Contributor