Prince Andrew’s lawyers in ‘emergency talks’ after Ghislaine Maxwell verdict

Prince Andrew’s legal team has reportedly been locked in “emergency talks” in the wake of Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction.

Prince Andrew. Picture: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP

Prince Andrew’s lawyers have been locked in emergency talks amid fears his friend Ghislaine Maxwell could “name names” following her guilty verdict, a report says.

Maxwell now faces up to 65 years in prison after a New York court found she procured, groomed and trafficked young girls for her lover Jeffrey Epstein.

As The Sun reports, Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre has launched a civil case against the Duke of York, who she alleges had sex with her when she was a teenager.

Andrew strongly denies the claims and all allegations of misconduct made against him.

Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts at Ghislaine Maxwell's townhouse in London, Britain on March 13 2001 Picture: Florida Southern District Court/Supplied

The jury’s decision to convict Maxwell on five of the six counts against her, including sex trafficking of a minor, has sparked alarm for the Prince’s legal team because the burden of proof in a criminal case is far higher than in a civil case, The Daily Mirror reports.

Legal experts reportedly point to OJ Simpson, who was famously acquitted in criminal court but found guilty of double murder in a civil case.

Criminal trials in the United States typically require the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas civil cases are decided by lower standards of proof.

Despite their concerns, Andrew’s lawyers reportedly maintain Maxwell’s trail was “disastrous” for his accuser, Ms Giuffre. The proseuction declined to call her as a witness.

The royal’s legal team believes testimony from a different Epstein victim, known in court only as “Carolyn”, could weaken Ms Giuffre’s case.

Carolyn told court she was recruited into Epstein and Maxwell’s orbit by Ms Giuffre.

“Andrew’s US team immediately seized upon Carolyn’s testimony,” a legal source told The Mirror.

“Andrew’s lawyers have convinced him that if he is to stand any chance of preventing her case from going to court, they need to fight fire with fire and nothing should be off-limits.”

Prince Andrew. Picture: Lindsey Parnaby / AFP

Meanwhile, there is speculation that Maxwell could start naming names in a bid to cut her prison sentence, which could otherwise last the rest of her life.

Maxwell and Andrew are believed to have known each other for the better part of two decades, and she is alleged to have introduced him to Epstein.

Prior to the verdict, a legal source connected with Maxwell’s case told The Mail on Sunday a conviction could spell trouble for Andrew.

“It is possible she will begin to co-operate and tell what she knows in an attempt to lessen her jail term,” the source said.

“We know that prosecutors are looking at other co-conspirators in connection with Jeffrey Epstein’s child sex ring.

“Ghislaine undoubtedly possesses information which could assist prosecutors in other cases. If she decides to co-operate, her testimony could be devastating.

“She was Epstein’s right-hand woman for years. Imagine what she knows.”

British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell and US financier Jeffrey Epstein. Picture: Handout / US District Court for the Southern District of New York / AFP

Andrew’s friendship with Maxwell is reported to have become more prominent in the early 2000s. Former royal protection officer Paul Page told Vanity Fair that, during that period, Maxwell was able to “just breeze into the palace like she was one of the royal family”.

The Duke of York was first spotted with Maxwell and Epstein at a tennis tournament at Mar-a-Lago, Donald Trump’s Florida resort, in February of 2000.

It was reported the duo were together at least eight times that year, and were seen at various nightspots in London.

During this period, Ms Giuffre alleges, Andrew was introduced to her, then aged 17. She claims he sexually assaulted her in New York, London and on Epstein’s private island.

Andrew has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and has been republished with permission.