A US judge has asked for Prince Andrew’s former assistant, Robert Olney, to give evidence as part of the civil sex assault case brought by the duke’s accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Ms Giuffre is suing the duke for damages in her home country of the US, claiming she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew’s friend and a convicted sex offender, to have sex with the royal when she was 17, a minor under US law.

The duke is also alleged to have sexually abused Ms Giuffre during a visit to Epstein’s private island, Little St James, and on a separate occasion at Epstein’s Manhattan mansion.

The duke has denied all of the allegations.

What are the main points in Prince Andrew’s defence?

Earlier in January, it emerged that Ms Giuffre’s lawyers requested help to get testimony from two potential witnesses in the UK, including the duke’s former assistant Mr Olney.

Court documents revealed the Judge Lewis A Kaplan wrote to the Senior Master of the Queen’s Bench Division with the aim of having Mr Olney testify about the duke’s communications with Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and Ms Giuffre, and the duke’s travel to Epstein’s properties.

‘Bomb cyclone’ batters US East Coast with Nor’easter bringing mounds of snow and ‘life-threatening’ weather conditions

Chicago: Man who spent 20 years in jail released after twin confesses to murder

Harry and Meghan weigh in on Spotify row saying they expressed concerns about COVID misinformation last April

In a separate letter to the High Court, the judge also requested testimony from a woman who claims to have seen Andrew in Tramp nightclub in London.

Shukri Walker’s testimony should cover questions about the presence of the duke and Ms Giuffre at the nightclub in March 2001, and any interaction between the pair, the judge said.

Who’s who in the Prince Andrew sex assault case?

Judge Kaplan also wrote to the Australian Attorney General requesting assistance in getting testimony from Ms Giuffre’s husband Robert, and her psychologist Dr Judith Lightfoot.

The judge asked for Mr Giuffre’s testimony to include how he met his wife, any discussions they had about Andrew, her alleged childhood trauma and abuse, and her relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.

The letter also requests testimony about the emotional and psychological harm Ms Giuffre says she has suffered, the Giuffre household finances, and her role in trafficking and recruiting young girls for Epstein.

The judge asked Dr Lightfoot to give evidence about Ms Giuffre’s medical treatment, her diagnosis, childhood trauma, the theory of false memories, and her claims regarding Andrew.

All four witnesses have been asked to complete their testimony by 29 April.

Related posts:

Perseverance rover sends back first pictures from Mars after successful landing Bonnets, gloves and fake glasses: Two women dress as ‘grannies’ to try to get COVID jab Biden declares major disaster in Texas after deadly winter freeze Biden sets new goal of 200 million COVID jabs in his first 100 days in office As violent attacks rise, some Asians in the US say they are afraid to go out – others plan to move away New York judge paves way for Harvey Weinstein extradition to California US heatwave: Baby birds injured fleeing nests to escape record conditions ‘Places like this could become uninhabitable’: The California city facing record-breaking heat Texas wins bid to reinstate abortion law challenged by Biden administration Earthquake hits Alaska, day after two tremors rock Hawaii Travis singer ‘mauled’ by runaway sausage dog he tried to save after car crash CEO who went into space with William Shatner killed in plane crash