Emily Maitlis: Andrew lied to me

In a 2019 BBC Newsnight interview with Maitlis, Andrew said he had severed links with Epstein in December 2010 after the two men were pictured strolling together in New York.

But details of an email published last week revealed he had in fact told Epstein in February 2011 that “we are in this together”. The email was sent the day after an infamous photograph emerged of him pictured with Virginia Giuffre. The email ends with the line: “We’ll play some more soon!!!!”

Maitlis said the news has prompted her to rewatch the bombshell interview with Andrew for the first time in six years. “The email that emerged last week categorically showed that what he said [about his last contact being December 2010] was untrue… I have become more alive to all the inconsistencies [in the interview]. It makes you rewatch, revisit everything again.”

“The Giuffre book is out on Tuesday,” said Maitlis. “It is explosive. She is categorical about the occasions she met [Andrew] and had sex with him.” Andrew denies any wrongdoing.

Regarding the agreement for Andrew to give up his royal titles, announced on Friday, Maitlis said it appeared the King was stepping in to deal with the cloud of accusations over his brother. “I wonder whether this isn’t telling us something about the King himself. He has not been well. Is it him saying it’s his responsibility to sort out the uncle without handing [the burden] on to his son?”

She said she believed the King and Prince William are on the same page about Andrew. “It is an opportune moment,” she said.

Maitlis added she believed there is much more to be revealed in the Epstein story. “I think we know 1% of the Epstein files. Britain is fixated on the Prince and his titles. We might be talking about 1,000 victims and 30 to 50 paedophiles.”

Photograph by Mark Harrison/BBC