Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s father calls Prince Andrew a ‘coward’ for trying to dismiss civil suit

The father of Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre has launched a fiery attack on the royal for ‘victim-blaming’ his daughter.

The father of Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre has launched a scathing attack on the royal describing him as a “coward”, after he requested that the sex abuse lawsuit against him be thrown out.

Sky Roberts blasted the Duke of York for victim-blaming his daughter after the royal’s lawyers filed paperwork in Manhattan last week listing a number of reasons why Ms Giuffre’s case should be tossed.

Prince Andrew strenuously denies claims made by Ms Giuffre, who said she was trafficked by Ghislaine Maxwell and billionaire financier Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the prince in London when she was 17, and a minor in US law.

The 38-year-old also alleges she was forced to have sex with him at homes belonging to Epstein in New York and the US Virgin Islands.

An undated handout photo taken at an undisclosed location shows (L-R) Prince Andrew, Virginia Giuffre, and Ghislaine Maxwell posing for a photo.

According to court documents, Prince Andrew’s lawyers argued that Ms Giuffre’s “own wrongful conduct” was among the reasons why the case should be dismissed.

However, the 65-year-old said that he will have his daughter’s back “no matter what” and will ensure evidence is provided in support of his daughter during trial.

“It‘s the coward’s way out to try to blame the victim,” he told the Sunday Mirror.

“He is playing a game, and he is bluffing. He doesn’t have a strong hand. Do you think my daughter wants to go through this stuff?

“It‘s ridiculous for him to say that Virginia’s hands are unclean or she has skeletons in her closet, or whatever.”

Prince Andrew, who is facing a US civil case for sexual assault, has given up his honorary military and charitable roles, Buckingham Palace. Picture: AFP

However, Mr Roberts admitted he does not think Prince Andrew will go to jail following the outcome of his daughter‘s case.

“If my daughter asks me to stand up in court, I will do it and tell them the truth,” he said.

“She wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t right. I believe in her.”

The Duke last week issued 41 denials, rejecting all allegations of wrongdoing. He stated a further 40 times he “lacks sufficient information to admit or deny” claims.

It comes as the lawyer representing Ms Giuffre is set to quiz the Duke in London but said he will not require evidence from his ex-wife, daughters or the Queen.

Virginia Giuffre. Picture: AFP

Ms Giuffre‘s lawyer Mr Boies is preparing to fly to Britain later this year to take a legal deposition from the Duke, which he expects to last “a day, or probably two”.

“I‘m going to try to get him to understand that this is not going to be combative,” he said. “Obviously, I’m going to ask him a lot of questions.

“And although some of the questions may be uncomfortable, I‘m not going to be aggressive or in any way offensive to him. I’m going to be respectful.”

Prince Andrew is preparing to give a sworn statement and sources say his lawyers hope to convince the judge to allow him to appear via video link from his Windsor mansion.

With his deposition likely to take seven hours, Charles and William are leading efforts to persuade him to stop the case dragging on to protect the family from further humiliation, according to The Sun.

“After the car crash of Newsnight, no one thinks a seven-hour deposition is a good idea. If he were to appear in court it could be many times worse and senior royals were deeply shocked when they heard that he was demanding a jury trial,” the source said.

“The best outcome for everyone is that this is settled as soon as possible. There are deep, deep worries that this will get worse and worse for the family and will overshadow Platinum Jubilee celebrations.”

Prince Andrew, Duke of York speaks with military personnel during a reception in 2015. Picture: Getty Images

Ms Giuffre’s lawyer David Boies has said that she is “determined to go to trial, but a settlement is always a possibility”.

Legal experts predict a settlement could cost up to $18 million, with The Sun reporting that he plans to use the sale of his Swiss chalet to fund the deal as a private citizen. He recently sold the property at an exclusive alpine resort in Verbier, Switzerland.

Prince Andrew was effectively thrown out of the Royal Family by the Queen’s decision to strip away his titles and duties

The banishment was said to be pushed by Prince Charles and Prince William in an effort to protect the monarchy.

Prince Andrew is seeking to clear his name in the sexual assault civil complaint he is fighting in New York. Picture: AFP

Prince Andrew will no longer officially hold his 12 military affiliations and royal patronages to the Queen.

His official roles will return to his 95-year-old mother to be distributed among other royal family members.

He loses the titles of His Royal Highness, as well as the honorary titles of Colonel of the Grenadier Guards and RAF Air Commodore. He is also stripped of the official uniforms he would have worn at official events.

Beyond official titles, he loses dozens of patronages for universities, charities, medical institutions and sporting clubs.

He does, however, retain the title Duke of York, the rank of Vice-Admiral in the Navy and keep the medals he earned as a helicopter pilot during the Falklands War.

He also keeps the Order of the Garter and remains a Counsellor of State, which allows him to step in if the Queen is unable to perform her duties.