The Duchess of York reportedly called paedophile Jeffrey Epstein a ‘supreme friend’ in an email months after publicly distancing herself from him.
The 2011 message was allegedly sent shortly after the duchess, Sarah Ferguson, said in an interview that her involvement with the sex offender had been a ‘gigantic error of judgment’.
Responding to the claims to the Mail on Sunday and Sun, a spokesperson for Prince Andrew’s ex-wife said the email was to counter a threat Epstein had made to sue her for defamation for calling him a ‘paedophile’.
The Metro has reached out to both the duchess and Duke of York for additional comment.
The email was reportedly sent in response to an interview the duchess gave where she apologised for having accepted £15,000 from Epstein to pay off debts.
Speaking about Andrew’s long-time associate, she said in the interview: ‘I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children.’
‘I cannot state more strongly that I know a terrible, terrible error of judgement was made, my having anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein,’ she added.
‘What he did was wrong and for which he was rightly jailed.’
Epstein had been jailed three years earlier for soliciting prostitution from a minor.
His links to numerous high-profile figures – including the Duke and Duchess of York – prompted a scandal that continues to this day.
In an email to Epstein after the interview, she denied using the word ‘paedophilia’ when referring to the disgraced financier.
‘As you know, I did not, absolutely not, say the ‘P word’ about you but understand it was reported that I did,’ she reportedly wrote.
‘I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.’
A spokesperson for the duchess said the email was sent after Epstein -who died in jail in disputed circumstances while federal charges for the sex trafficking of minors in Florida and New York – had threatened to sue her.
‘The duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims,’ they said.
‘Like many people, she was taken in by his lies.
‘As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.’
The spokesperson added that the duchess ‘does not resile’ from her condemnation of Epstein and his actions.
‘This email was sent in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats,’ they added.
Before his death, Epstein was a well-connected financier who partied with numerous high profile figures including Donald Trump, Bill Clinton and Harvey Weinstein.
His numerous conspiracies surround his dealings with the rich and famous has prompted a scandal that even the usually Teflon-coated US President has been unable to shake off.
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