Prince Andrew has issued his first personal statement about his relationship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein - saying he did not "see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction".

The Duke of York has been under fire for his friendship with the billionaire financier, who killed himself in US custody while awaiting trial for alleged sex trafficking earlier this month.

Following on from a brief statement from Buckingham Palace earlier this week, Prince Andrew has made his first comments on the matter since the suicide, saying he "would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour".

He said: "It is apparent to me since the suicide of Mr Epstein that there has been an immense amount of media speculation about so much in his life. This is particularly the case in relation to my former association or friendship with Mr Epstein.

"Therefore I am eager to clarify the facts to avoid further speculation."


The Duke of York, 59, said he met Mr Epstein in 1999 and "saw him infrequently and probably no more than only once or twice a year", but acknowledges that he "stayed in a number of his residences".

"At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction."

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A video emerged this week of Prince Andrew inside the convicted paedophile's New York mansion reportedly in December 2010.

This was after Epstein admitted prostitution charges relating to an underage girl in 2008. The financier struck a deal and served an 18-month prison term.

Prince Andrew said: "I have said previously that it was a mistake and an error to see him after his release in 2010 and I can only reiterate my regret that I was mistaken to think that what I thought I knew of him was evidently not the real person, given what we now know. I have tremendous sympathy for all those affected by his actions and behaviour."

Footage shows duke inside Epstein's mansion

Regarding Epstein's suicide, the Duke of York said: "His suicide has left many unanswered questions and I acknowledge and sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure.

"This is a difficult time for everyone involved and I am at a loss to be able to understand or explain Mr Epstein's lifestyle. I deplore the exploitation of any human being and would not condone, participate in, or encourage any such behaviour."

A previous Buckingham Palace statement said: "The Duke of York has been appalled by the recent reports of Jeffrey Epstein's alleged crimes.

"His Royal Highness deplores the exploitation of any human being and the suggestion he would condone, participate in or encourage any such behaviour is abhorrent."

Epstein, 66, was arrested on 6 July over claims that he was involved in the sex-trafficking of dozens of girls as young as 14 from at least 2002 until 2005.

He had denied the charges and was being held in prison until his trial.

Image: Epstein took his own life

Had he been convicted of the most recent offences, he was facing up to 45 years in jail.

A number of well-known names had been implicated in the case and prosecutors had said Epstein's behaviour was aided by co-conspirators who recruited his victims.

Speaking shortly after Epstein's death, US attorney general William Barr warned that investigations would continue into the actions of "anyone who was complicit with Epstein".

Last week, the Duke of York flew into Spain and has been spotted playing golf and enjoying a meal at an exclusive restaurant.