PRINCE ANDREW STEPS DOWN FROM PUBLIC DUTIES WITH THE PERMISSION OF THE QUEEN

A STATEMENT has been released by His Royal Highness The Duke of York indicating that he is stepping down from public duties “for the foreseeable future”, with the Queen’s permission.

Prince Andrew has been heavily criticised for his performance in a TV interview Saturday in which he failed to express concern for Epstein’s victims.

Since the interview companies are abandoning causes championed by Prince Andrew. UK telecoms company BT (BTGOF), Standard Chartered (SCBFF) bank and the charitable arm of US tech company Salesforce (CRM) are the latest in a series of companies to distance themselves from the Duke of York.

In an official Royal press release, today (Wednesday November 20), the Duke has stated:

“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support.

Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.

I continue to unequivocally regret my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein. His suicide has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”