PRINCE Andrew described his alleged victim Virginia Roberts as “a very sick girl”, it has been reported.
The Duke made the comment in a message to a pal who asked how Andrew was coping with the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Ms Roberts had accused Epstein of appalling abuse before the Duke was hit by scrutiny for his links to the disgraced financier.
Her shocking revelations were accompanied by the now-infamous photograph of the Prince with his arm around her waist.
The Duke made the comments on Ms Roberts’ health to his friend Jonathan Rowland in 2011, the Mail on Sunday reports.
Mr Rowland, the son of controversial property tycoon David Rowland, had contacted Andrew, saying: “Hope the press isn’t getting you down to [sic] much.”
The Duke replied: “Not at all!… She is a very sick girl apparently. The innuendo is the problem. But there is nothing that one can do for that! Shrug and move on.”
Not at all!… She is a very sick girl apparently. The innuendo is the problem. But there is nothing that one can do for that! Shrug and move on.
Andrew’s apparently dismissive comment to his friend appears to question the mental health and credibility of Ms Roberts, who later claimed she was forced to have sex with Andrew from the age of 17 after being trafficked by Epstein.
Prince Andrew has strenuously denied claims made by Ms Roberts Giuffre that she slept with him when she was 17.
He has also repeatedly denied having any knowledge of Epstein's crimes.
Andrew said he had “no recollection” of meeting her and infamously claimed he was at a Pizza Express in Woking on one of the days they were meant to have had sex, during his car crash BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitliss.
Until Andrew talks to the FBI about his relationship with Virginia – and what he knows about the other victims and wrongdoers – it’s his credibility at stake, not hers.
Last night a lawyer for clients suing the Epstein estate said: “Until Andrew talks to the FBI about his relationship with Virginia – and what he knows about the other victims and wrongdoers – it’s his credibility at stake, not hers.
“Virginia’s mental health is excellent and has been throughout, although it has been severely tested by Andrew and Epstein.”
The Duke faces mounting demands, including from Ms Roberts, to co-operate with an FBI investigation into Epstein’s sordid activities.
Four of Epstein’s other alleged victims urged Andrew to talk to the FBI for the sake of “your daughters and their children”, warning him in a powerful open letter.
'DO THE RIGHT THING'
The alleged texts come after Ms Roberts Giuffre called on the Duke to “do the right thing” over the allegations.
She tweeted a picture of The Sun's Wanted poster as she told the royal the clock was ticking and urged him to speak to the authorities.
She wrote: "Tick Tock Andy- time to talk!! The world is over the lies, the cover ups and the simple fact that privilege buys your way out of facing the music.
Tick Tock Andy- time to talk!! The world is over the lies, the cover ups and the simple fact that privilege buys your way out of facing the music.
"Do the right thing, if not for me then the countless other Epstein victims who deserve the truth."
Her plea came after US prosecutors insisted they had tried to contact the under-fire royal "several" times about the dead deviant.
They accused the Duke of York of "zero co-operation" with their investigation into Epstein.
But the 59-year-old's pals furiously then hit back saying the royal was "committed to the legal process" and was "more than happy to talk" but "hasn't been approached yet".
One source close to the royal said of the FBI's claims: "Nothing could be further from the truth."
'ZERO CO-OPERATION'
Geoffrey Berman, the US attorney for the Southern District of New York then hit back stressing the FBI had "made several attempts to contact" Andrew's representatives.
However, the Duke has accused the FBI of “failing to play with a straight bat” over claims he has ignored any plea to co-operate, The Telegraph reports.
It had previously been reported the FBI had been trying to interview the under-fire royal for months.
During the BBC interview, Andrew said he would have to consult with his lawyers before testifying under oath about his ties to Epstein.
Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.
But in a statement after the broadcast, he said: “Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”
FBI and federal prosecutors in Manhattan are trying to bring justice for dozens of Epstein’s victims – by going after his alleged accomplices.
Epstein, 66, killed himself in jail last year while awaiting trial on child sex trafficking allegations – following numerous bungled probes into his conduct.
In December, Roberts Giuffre claimed "evil people" wanted to keep her "quiet", chillingly adding: "if something happens to me, don’t let it go".
The 36-year-old – who says she was Jeffrey Epstein's sex slave – posted her stark Twitter message days after her BBC interview about the royal scandal was broadcast.
She wrote: "I am making it publicy (sic) known that in no way, shape or form am I sucidal (sic). I have made this known to my therapist and GP.
"If something happens to me – in the sake of my family do not let this go away and help me to protect them. Too many evil people want to see me quieted (sic)."
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