Prince Andrew may hit sex accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre with lawsuit over memoir

The Duke of York is reportedly “ready to go on the attack” over his Australian-based accuser’s upcoming tell-all memoir.

Prince Andrew is poised to hit his Australian-based sexual assault accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre with a $140 million lawsuit.

The Duke of York is “ready to go on the attack” if his accuser repeats her sex allegations against him in her upcoming tell-all book, The Sun reports.

Prince Andrew has always strongly denied Virginia Roberts Giuffre’s claims. Pictures: AFP

It was revealed last week that Ms Roberts Giuffre, who lives in Perth, has signed a book deal believed to be worth millions.

As a teenager, Ms Roberts Giuffre was a victim of sex trafficking at the hands of the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, who is now in prison.

Prince Andrew is reportedly set to go on the attack if Virginia Roberts Giuffre repeats her allegations against him in her memoir. Picture: Getty Images

Ms Giuffre, 39, claimed she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew when she was 17, having been trafficked by Epstein who was found dead in his jail cell four years ago.

Prince Andrew has strongly denied her accusations and has vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

“The minute she writes anything that repeats the original claims against him she will be hit with a $100 million ($A140 million) defamation lawsuit,” a source reportedly told The Sun.

“Andrew is ready to go on the attack. Then her claims will be put under scrutiny in a court of law.”

The infamous photograph showing Prince Andrew, Virginia Roberts Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell. Picture: AFP

Ghislaine Maxwell’s Belgravia property, where the photograph was allegedly taken. Picture: Hollie Adams/Getty Images

Virginia Roberts Giuffre has reportedly signed a book deal. Picture: CBS

According to The Sun, Ms Roberts Giuffre’s gagging clause will reportedly be lifted in February, meaning she will be free to talk publicly once more.

Prince Andrew settled the lawsuit in February 2022, with sources saying his lawyers negotiated a deal of between $5.3 million and $8.8 million.

The agreement contained no formal admission of liability or apology from the Queen’s second son, but it said he accepted Ms Roberts Giuffre was a “victim of abuse” and regretted his association with Epstein.

Both parties are said to have signed an order to remain silent about the case and financial deal over the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, but this expires next month, The Telegraph reports.

It comes after The Sun reported that Prince Andrew was hoping to overturn his settlement with Ms Roberts Giuffre now her abuse case against high-profile US lawyer Alan Dershowitz has crumbled.

Ms Roberts dropped her lawsuit against Mr Dershowitz, a former lawyer for Epstein, last year after admitting that she “may have made a mistake”.

Originally published as Prince Andrew may hit sex accuser Virginia Roberts Giuffre with lawsuit over memoir