Andrew

[KenAdams]

The judge won't dismiss the case.

The BBC has just said that he has three choices:

• settle out of court
• defer, which means the ruling will automatically go against him
• go to trial.

I can't see that any of those options will be attractive to him and he will have to finally face the consequences of his behaviour.

I would love to have seen his face when he heard that news.
Bet the Dirty Bastard is sweating now.

Whatever happens, this is going to cost him a huge amount of money, not to mention the ongoing damage to his reputation.

Thinking about it, it's understandable that he may not have known that the age of consent is higher in the States, so perhaps he genuinely didn't realise that what he was doing was illegal. However, he chose, allegedly, to have sex with a girl who was of a similar age to his own daughter - so sleazy. In his mind he probably thought that any young woman would find him irrestistible, him being royal and rich. He must have had an awful wake up call when the truth came out, that she only did what she did because she had no choice. I don't blame her for pushing this case.

If it goes to court cue lots of shiny happy shots of Kate and the children doing countless visits etc… William being all King in waiting/ man of the people and possibly the Queen being ‘unwell’ to distract the press and gain Royal family sympathy.

The distraction techniques will be huge here, The Queen has used her money to help with legal fees, no getting away from the issue of taxes being used to defend Andrew and I’m surprised about the lack of outcry.

I wonder how long before the other high profile men who were Epstein’s buddies are publicly accused, I think the outcome of this private prosecution will determine the likelihood of the others being brought down.

@MrsTerryPratchett

Mummy will settle with her vast fortune. Which is rather disappointing.

Not sure she will. She has refused to lay any of his considerable lawyers fees

Pay

Apparently the queen has refused to help him out financially with this.

where does he get his money from, he only got £250k a year from the Queen, a Navy pension, he has sold his house and paid off £6m debt but how did he afford that house in the first place.

Thinking about it, it's understandable that he may not have known that the age of consent is higher in the States, so perhaps he genuinely didn't realise that what he was doing was illegal.

Is that how it works? I thought it was the age of consent where you were at the time that mattered? Or is it the trafficking that makes the age an issue - although I’d have thought trafficking would be the issue regardless of age?

The only person in the family I have any respect for is the queen. Once she's gone thats it. I have zero respect for any of the others and their dreadful behaviour.

@AllThePogs

And I agree, this should not have been moved to the quiet Royal Family section. It is a big news story.

So you've missed the very active Prince Andrew thread, that's now on part 3?

Don't assume that the topic is
a) a fans topic, or
b) quiet

People keep mentioning the ski chalet. How do we know about that? Media reports. Who tells the media things? Ummmmm.

The RF have some serious PR people and aren't stupid. If the queen can stop reputational damage to herself while still helping, I think she will.

This civil case finally tips the balance of power for VG. For decades the people who abused her have held all the power and been able to continue the abuse really - abuse is about power after all.

Now VG has power over PA. She has the power to reject settlement offers. She has the power to force him through a very uncomfortable and very public court process. She doesn't have his privilege or status or connections, but she has control over the next 9 months of his life and potentially beyond in terms of aftermath.

He and others sought to trash her reputation and now he is paying the price with his own.

I don't think the outcome of the case matters - however it ends VG has taken his power away. I can imagine that will feel more like justice than any financial or penal penalty or verdict ever would.

@MrsTerryPratchett

People keep mentioning the ski chalet. How do we know about that? Media reports. Who tells the media things? Ummmmm.

The RF have some serious PR people and aren't stupid. If the queen can stop reputational damage to herself while still helping, I think she will.

Fair point. I think people underestimate how much of a machine the RF is beneath the surface.

Yes I am sure the Queen will still be financially supporting Andrew whatever is said in public.

@KatherineJaneway

They'll settle and make her sign an NDA.

NDAs can be challenged in a court and lifted.

Does anyone know how long he will have to decide?

She'll settle. (And I wouldn't blame her.)

The risk of losing and getting lumbered with all the costs is too high. No civil court case is ever a sure thing.

@AmandaHoldensLips I am sure someone is supporting her for her able to get this far.

If VG refuses to settle and has no interest in settling they have no power to "make her" sign an NDA.

Whatever happens now Andrew is not going to look good.

@MrsTerryPratchett true and I admire your scepticism though I think the reports included a statement from the vendor and mentioned details of the case having been raised in the Swiss courts. Not to say this hasn't been spun, equally if your best spin is that PA asked for staged payments, didn't make the payment, asked for an extension, still didn't pay and the vendor had to raise a claim in the Swiss courts for £6m?then it's a not a good look unless they want to argue insufficiency of resources which is tactically courageous if the plaintiff wants her day in court rather than is solely motivated by money,

@AmandaHoldensLips all the costs? Will both sides costs be funded by the losing party? It might be the starting point in the courts of England and Wales but is that the case in this court in NY? That said, even if not, her legal fees and any expectation of a proportion of the damages by her lawyers will be significant unless they have a long term strategy regarding building the case for the other potential plaintiffs (I don't know if the same team represent VG and the other potential plaintiffs).

unless they want to argue insufficiency of resources which is tactically courageous if the plaintiff wants her day in court rather than is solely motivated by money,

And I admire your skepticism!

The Metro published a few days ago:

Reports suggest Ms Giuffre is unlikely to accept a financial settlement because she wants to send a message that anyone accused of preying on young girls will face the full force of the law.

Which is the impression I get of Giuffre. She has spent a decade fighting for justice for trafficking victims. The symbolism of being able to take down a member of the Royal Family is not insignificant!

She seems like a woman on a mission to me.

I can't believe (well, I suppose I can) that Andrew tried to diddle the French woman whose skiing chalet he purchased, of the final £5m installment. What a grubby little man. In all aspects of his life.