Judge seeks Andrew aide’s testimony, Australian attorney-general for help with evidence

Judge in civil case against royal asks for Australian help obtaining testimony from accuser’s husband, psychologist.

The High Court in London has been asked to help obtain testimony about Prince Andrew’s communications with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell from Robert Olney, who was the prince’s equerry. Picture: Steve Parsons/AFP

The Duke of York’s former assistant may give a sworn statement about his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, after a request from the judge in his civil sex assault case in the US.

The High Court in London has been asked to help obtain testimony about Prince Andrew’s communications with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell from Robert Olney, who was the prince’s equerry.

Judge Lewis A Kaplan has asked for Olney to be questioned about the duke’s communications with Maxwell, Epstein and Virginia Roberts, now Giuffre, along with his travel to Epstein’s homes.

Court documents show that the judge has written to the senior master of the Queen’s Bench Division and the Australian attorney-general to ask for their help in gathering evidence for the civil claim filed by Giuffre in the US.

In a separate letter to the High Court, Kaplan also requested testimony from Shukri Walker, who claims to have seen the Duke of York in Tramp nightclub in London. The documents say that Walker’s evidence should include questions about the presence of the duke and Roberts at the nightclub in March 2001 and any interactions the pair had.

In letters to the Australian attorney-general, Kaplan asked for help in obtaining testimony from Giuffre’s husband, Robert, and her psychologist Dr Judith Lightfoot.

The judge asked for the husband’s testimony to include how he met his wife, his discussions with her about the duke, her alleged childhood trauma and abuse and her relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.

In a separate letter to Lightfoot, Kaplan has asked for her evidence to include Giuffre’s medical treatment, her diagnosis of Giuffre, matters discussed during their sessions, and claims made about the duke.

Testimony is also sought from Lightfoot about her opinions of the alleged psychological harm suffered by Giuffre, theory of false memories and the consequences of her childhood trauma.

The duke is accused of sexually abusing Roberts. He has denied all allegations and has not been charged with any criminal offence.

Kaplan has asked that the testimony of all four witnesses be completed by April 29.

The Times