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To think that Buckingham Palace SHOULDN'T have named Prince Andrew's accuser?

218 replies

aermingers · 03/01/2015 23:39

I've just heard on the news that Buckingham Palace has named the person who has accused Prince Andrew of sex crimes against her. I can't find any confirmation online. But is it just me who thinks this is deeply wrong? Okay it may be technically legal because she's making the allegations in the US - but surely as potentially the victim of a sex crime they should have the decency not to name her? I'm really shocked, it just smacks of malice. And they can't even be certain she's not telling the truth.

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limitedperiodonly · 05/01/2015 14:46

Rather than debating whether its true or not, here is a better question. What were her parents doing letter her swan off with a US billionaire to his private island. Just throwing it out there but sounds like the whole family are bunch of gold diggers

TrueBlueYorkshire You mention Jimmy Savile, I mention Michael Jackson.

That was an argument used very effectively by his lawyers, fans and many others when he was accused of sexually abusing an upper-middle class 13 year old boy in 1993 and again with a boy of similar age but less salubrious background in 2002.

The first case ended in an undisclosed and no doubt substantial out-of-court settlement and criticism of the boy's father. The second ended in Jackson's acquittal of criminal charges of sexual assault in 2005 and opprobrium for the child as well as his family.

The only difference I can see is that second time around Jackson picked a boy with a family who were on benefits and who could easily be discredited as golddiggers.

My personal view is that both sets of parents were lacking but the boys were victims of sexual abuse who should never have been vilified.

What's yours? Is it okay to abuse children whose parents are lacking either permanently or in a moment's inattention, perhaps in a busy shopping centre? Or are just starstruck by extreme wealth and celebrity?

If I'd been abused by Jeffrey Epstein I'd want to take him for every penny I could because that's clearly the only language he understands. Then I might spend it on therapy or shoes or have a big bonfire.

I wouldn't give a shit about how many of his friends got drawn into the orbit. If they were worried about their reputations they should have been more careful, instead of swanning around with US billionaires on private islands - that is a logical extension of your argument, isn't it?

BTW Jackson is dead. You can't libel the dead.

I'm in no way suggesting that the Duke of York is anything like him or anything more than a silly man I have very little sympathy for.

limitedperiodonly · 05/01/2015 14:53

Just out of interest, who funds Prince Andrews lifestyle?

People give him stuff in the hope of receiving favours. It's not illegal to accept gifts in some circumstances but not all. I'd have thought that being a trade ambassador was one of those circumstances, but what do I know?

It's unwise though, as he might be thinking now, though I doubt it...

cleanmachine · 05/01/2015 17:44

There are people on mn who are defending the actions of PA. Really? ??

Whichever you look at this is disgusting and embarrassing. She was a vulnerable teen. Where her parents were is irrelevant. Having neglectful parents does not make it ok for ugly middle aged men to pass you around as a gift.

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 05/01/2015 17:48

Just throwing it out there but sounds like the whole family are bunch of gold diggers

Is this the society we live in, that being considered a gold digger is worse than being a rapist, abuser and pedophile. ?

HelloItsStillMeFell · 05/01/2015 17:52

If she had wanted anonymity she could have gone through the proper channels, ie the police, and pressed charges if she believed a crime had been committed against her. She chose to go to the press instead. She named herself.

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 05/01/2015 17:53

A lot of people on here are bitter about the royals
I am not bitter about the Royals and I quite like charles and camilla, and william and harry and the Queen.

I am not keen on the others though, anne edward or andrew.

MonstrousRatbag · 05/01/2015 17:57

If she had wanted anonymity she could have gone through the proper channels, ie the police, and pressed charges if she believed a crime had been committed against her. She chose to go to the press instead. She named herself.

I don't know about that though. Do all US states give anonymity? And she was involved in the criminal case, but Epstein got a plea bargain and was only sentenced for 3 of the lesser offences, which must have hurt. Maybe she felt going public was the only way to get the full story out there.

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 05/01/2015 17:58

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2897086/Cash-strapped-Fergie-took-15-000-paedophile-billionaire-centre-claims-Prince-Andrew-slept-age-sex-slave.html

Oh lord....even fergie took money from this man....

cupofsneeze · 05/01/2015 18:00

I thought she did go though the proper channels along with 39 other women but the problem was that the legal teams agreed to a very low sentence for a much lesser charge so he effectively got away with many offences if he had been found guilty in court of all charges.

Thats why the victims are bringing a civil case. They have been let down by the system and didnt get their day in court.

limitedperiodonly · 05/01/2015 18:52

If she had wanted anonymity she could have gone through the proper channels, ie the police, and pressed charges if she believed a crime had been committed against her. She chose to go to the press instead. She named herself.

I have no idea what she wanted. If you do, please enlighten us HelloItsStillMeFell

My very informed opinion is that the MoS knew her name and have chosen to name her.

And what are these proper channels of which you speak?

A private prosecution is entirely proper, particularly when a criminal prosecution has failed to deliver justice.

Do you remember that business with Stephen Lawrence?

noddyholder · 05/01/2015 19:23

The newspaper editors seem pretty confident to run with this story

ElfontheShelfIsWATCHINGYOUTOO · 05/01/2015 19:27

The newspaper editors seem pretty confident to run with this story

Dont they just, they are hauling him over the coals, some of the headlines...

mwalimu · 05/01/2015 20:00

helots the women was abused by rich and powerful individuals since she was a teenage; raped and trafficked and protected by no-one. And you doubt her story because she hasn't gone through the 'proper channels'? Hmm

mwalimu · 05/01/2015 20:03

Have you watched the Pie N Mash interview with Ben Fellows? That tells you what you are up against if you use 'proper chanels'. I imagine exposing widely in the press is probably safest

CaddyJelleby · 05/01/2015 20:35

I haven't watched the Pie N Mash interview. However there's another case highlighted there which makes me think Pie N Mash needs to be eaten with a good portion of salt.

georgedawes · 05/01/2015 20:49

Limited I agree with all your posts.

What I find astonishing is the detail in the press, it really seems to me that these stories were written years ago but for whatever reason they're only confident in publishing now. I wonder if there are more stories to come.

Inkanta · 05/01/2015 20:50

Yes - well said Limited. You are spot on.

aermingers · 05/01/2015 21:21

It's not a private prosecution. The case that is going on now is a case against the prosecutors in the original case. This woman, and the other women concerned did go through the proper channels. 40 women in total came forward to say they had been abused by Epstein and a large body of incriminating evidence was found when police searched his house.

Epstein was originally charged with a large amount of sex crimes against minors but the prosecutors made a deal that he would only face trial for two for which he served 13 months. There is a suggestion that this deal was struck because influential figures pressured the attorney generals office. This case is to see if the victims rights were properly represented by the original prosecution, not a private prosecution.

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