By Lucy Caulkett-
Prince Andrew has reversed a claim he made during a BBC interview in which he said he did not regret his association with paedophile Epstein who committed suicide in a U.S jail whilst awaiting trial.
The heavily criticised prince whose ill advised interview with the BBC has created more headache for him than before the slot , also offered to assist the police investigation into the crimes committed by convicted billionaire Epstein, as he stepped down from royal duties in the wake of the fall out from his BBC crash interview.
Prince Andrew annoyed and shocked television viewers when he told BBC Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis on Saturday that he did not regret his association with Epstein because of some of the benefits he gained from him, including important people he met through the convicted paedophile.
SUSPICIONS
Public suspicions worsened as doubt about the truth of his testimony began to increase when a letter written to the Times in 2011 by one of his representative claimed he met Epstein in the early 90’s, contrary to a claim he made in the BBC interview that it was in 1999 he met disgraced Epstein.
Today, the prince announced his suspension from his royal duties in a statement which read:
“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.
“Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”
He added: “I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.
“Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”