After weeks of back and forth technicalities in what seemed like an attempt at buying time, Prince Andrew's defence has finally accepted the legal papers served by Virginia Giuffre.
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Papers have been correctly served
This means that a US court battle will officially be taking place between the Duke of York and sex abuse accuser, Virginia Giuffre. The alleged victim has accused the ninth in line to the throne of having had sex with her on three separate occasions when she was just 17 years old, while being aware she was being trafficked by convicted sex offender and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
He now has exactly three weeks to respond to the sex abuse accusations but is apparently going to ask to extend the period longer at the advice of his legal team. Giuffre's attorney, David Boies, who has been said to have 'outwitted' Prince Andrew's London-based legal team on several occasions, explains that:
Andrew's counsel have agreed that service has been made. Theoretically the clock is now ticking. However, it would be normal for them to ask for, and for us to agree to, a reasonable extension of time to respond to the complaint.
Prince Andrew will not be replacing his team
The news that his lawyers will be asking for a 'reasonable extension' comes after it was speculated that the royal was dissatisfied with the way the case was being handled. It was also said that he was looking for new legal representation for the continuation of the case. However a source close to the prince has revealed to the Daily Mail that:
Irrespective of media reports, the duke retains every confidence in his legal team and their strategy.
A second preliminary hearing is set to take place in Manhattan on 13 October.
