Prince Andrew urged to contact US investigators 'without delay or condition'

Jeffrey Epstein and Teala Davies
Jeffrey Epstein and Teala Davies

Prince Andrew has been urged to contact US prosecutors “without delay and without” condition” as pressure mounted on him to testify in the Jeffrey Epstein case.

The calls came as a fresh victim came forward to allege she was groomed and abused by Epstein, the billionaire financier, when she was a vulnerable 17-year-old in New York.

Teala Davies described how Epstein had preyed on her when she was a teenager, sexually abusing her at his various homes around the world.

She said she had been trafficked to New York, New Mexico, Florida, the US Virgin Islands and France, but refused to be drawn on whether she had ever met the Duke of York on her travels.

Gloria Allred, the lawyer, who is representing her and other victims of Epstein’s abuse, said Epstein, who killed himself in prison earlier this year, had treated Miss Davies “like an object for his sexual gratification”.

Gloria Allred (R) and her client Teala Davies, who claims to be a victim of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein when she was a minor, hold a press conference in New York  - Credit: AFP 
Gloria Allred (R) and her client Teala Davies, who claims to be a victim of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein when she was a minor, hold a press conference in New York Credit: AFP

Miss Davies said: “I was only 17. I was the perfect victim. I was on my own and I needed help. Jeffrey Epstein preyed on me. He put me in a vulnerable situation and he preyed on me. I was only 17. I was a little girl.”

Miss Davies released a picture of her with Epstein in his helicopter flying over the US Virgin Islands.

She said she was smiling in the picture because at that time she had been unaware of Epstein’s predatory intent.

Ms Allred said she was seeking justice for Miss Davies and said she welcomed the Duke’s announcement that he was willing to speak to US investigators about what he knew about his friend’s activities.

In last week's catastrophic television interview the Duke said he would need to take legal advice before agreeing to give a statement under oath.

But following days of intense criticism he has now backtracked and has confirmed that he is willing to cooperate with US law enforcement agencies if required.

Ms Allred questioned why the Duke had said “if required” and said he should proactively contact US investigators as a matter of urgency rather than waiting for them to come to him.

The Duke of York leaves his home in Windsor, Berkshire, the day after he suspended his work with his charities, organisations and military units because of the fallout from his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein - Credit: PA /Steve Parsons
The Duke of York leaves his home in Windsor, Berkshire, the day after he suspended his work with his charities, organisations and military units because of the fallout from his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein Credit: PA /Steve Parsons

"I urge Prince Andrew to contact the investigators for the Attorney's Office of the US Southern District of New York, and volunteer to be interviewed by them without conditions and without delay,” she said.

The Duke has also been urged to hand over all emails, text messages, flight logs and diaries to the US authorities and those now pursuing civil claims against Epstein’s estate.

Lisa Bloom, who is representing some of those abused by Epstein, told The Telegraph that the Duke's reversal was a good first step, but said he must go further still.

She said: "He must cooperate with the attorneys for the victims. He must also turn over any and all documents, including emails, texts, calendars, travel logs and photos, and require his staff to also speak to law enforcement.

"Let's be clear that his decision to cooperate and step away from official duties now is not voluntary, as the public stands with Epstein's victims and companies and organizations are distancing themselves from Prince Andrew. The victims and I appreciate this meaningful public support."

Gloria Allred and Teala Davies  - Credit: AFP 
Gloria Allred and Teala Davies Credit: AFP

Ms Bloom also said if the Duke refused to travel to give evidence in any US investigation it could create a diplomatic stand off.

She said: "It's not going to be easy to subpoena someone like Prince Andrew, he's obviously not walking down the street where a process server can just hand him a piece of paper, it's a lot more complicated.

"If he refused to come, we may have a diplomatic situation between (the UK) and (the US). I hope it doesn't come to that.

"I take him at his word that he says he is going to co-operate, and I hope that's what's going to happen."

While FBI investigators could travel to the UK to interview the Duke, sources in the US said they might be willing to take a statement over Skype.

A former prosecutor in the US Attorney's Office told The Daily Telegraph they would wish to avoid a "circus".

"He's a witness. It would be questions about who else was there when he saw Epstein, what information can he give about other people," he said.

"If Prince Andrew agrees they can do it in a way that no-one even has to know about it."

Meanwhile pressure was continuing to mount on Scotland Yard to explain its decision in 2015 not to investigate a complaint about Virgina Roberts Giuffre, who claimed she had been trafficked to UK in 2001 to have sex with the Duke in London.

Meanwhile the French police renewed their appeal for any witnesses and victims to come forward with any evidence of Epstein's alleged crimes in the country.