Dershowitz files court document denying woman's claims he had sexual contact with her when she was underage

Prominent American lawyer Alan Dershowitz has filed a detailed denial of a woman's claims he had sexual contact with her when she was underage in a case that also involves Britain's Prince Andrew. Her two attorneys have sued him for alleged defamation.

The court document filed late Monday says Dershowitz has multiple witnesses to refute the allegations made by the woman, identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe No. 3, but widely reported to be former masseuse Virginia Roberts. She claims wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein required her to have sex with Dershowitz, Prince Andrew and others when she was still under age 18.

Buckingham Palace has also emphatically denied her allegations about Prince Andrew. Dershowitz, who has previously made general denials, said in the court document the allegations "threaten to damage my reputation irrevocably".

"Never under any circumstances have I ever had any sexual contact of any kind, which includes massages or any physical contact whatsoever, with Jane Doe No. 3," Dershowitz said.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to Florida state sex charges but avoided more serious federal charges in a deal negotiated partly by Dershowitz. Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor, is perhaps best known for defending former football star O.J. Simpson and also Claus Von Bulow in the "Reversal of Fortune" case.

The allegations against Prince Andrew, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, and Dershowitz surfaced last week in a long-running lawsuit involving Epstein. Four unidentified women claiming to be his victims as minors are suing the US government over its plea deal with Epstein, contending their rights were violated and seeking to have the agreement thrown out.