Prince Andrew’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson also visited Epstein’s Florida residence, documents claim

Get the free Morning Headlines e-mail for information from our reporters the world over

Sign as much as our free Morning Headlines e-mail

Prince Andrew’s former spouse Sarah Ferguson visited Jeffrey Epstein’s mansion in Florida at the very least as soon as, in response to court docket documents launched on Friday.

Juan ‘John’ Alessi, who labored at Epstein’s residence in Palm Beach for about ten years within the Nineties, testified in 2009 that he had seen Ms Ferguson visiting the home alongside the Duke of York, although solely “for a short time”.

If true, the claim provides new element to the connection between the Duchess of York and the disgraced financier, who died in jail in 2019 whereas awaiting trial for intercourse trafficking.

Mr Alessi’s testimony was first made public years in the past, however his reference to Ms Ferguson seems to have gone unnoticed till this week once they have been reproduced as a part of a torrent of newly unsealed court docket documents.

The recordsdata comprise greater than 100 mentions of Andrew, who has been accused of sexual assault however strenuously denies any wrongdoing.

The Independent has requested Ms Ferguson for remark by way of her charity Sarah’s Trust.

Ms Ferguson, who divorced from Andrew in 1996 however has remained shut ever since has lengthy been criticised for her affiliation with Epstein.

The well-connected financier as soon as gave her £15,000 to assist repay her money owed, in a transaction which she later referred to as a “gigantic error”.

Last May, The Daily Mail reported that Ms Ferguson had visited Epstein in New York City in February 2010, whereas he was nonetheless below home arrest for having intercourse with underage ladies.

In his testimony, Mr Alessi mentioned that each the Duchess and Duke of York have been “friends” of Epstein’s and had also visited his Florida residence collectively.

Asked in the event that they ever obtained massages whereas staying there, Mr Alessi mentioned: “Prince Andrew did. I think Sarah was there only once and for a short time.

“I do not assume she slept in there. I can not keep in mind. I believe she was visiting Wellington and he or she got here to the home and we met her.

“But Prince Andrew, yes – Prince Andrew spent weeks with us.”