Prince Andrew sex abuse suit dismissed; UK says no public funds in settlement
- A deal was earlier reached between the British royal and accuser Virginia Giuffre, with a ‘substantial donation’ made to her victims’ rights charity
- A UK media report says Prince Charles is bankrolling the settlement, with Queen Elizabeth chipping in
A US judge on Tuesday ordered the dismissal of Virginia Giuffre’s lawsuit accusing Britain’s Prince Andrew of sexually abusing her when she was underage, as Britain’s finance ministry confirmed that no public funds were used in their settlement.
The dismissal by US District Judge Lewis Kaplan in Manhattan federal court had been requested by Giuffre and Andrew, and was expected following the settlement announced on February 15 between Giuffre and Queen Elizabeth’s second son.
That accord included an undisclosed payment, with Andrew making a “substantial donation” to Giuffre’s charity in support of victims’ rights.
Andrew, the Duke of York, did not admit wrongdoing in agreeing to settle the civil lawsuit. He has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing.
The finance ministry issued its comment after The Sun, a British tabloid, said Andrew’s older brother Prince Charles was bankrolling most of the settlement, with the queen chipping in.
