PRINCE Andrew was last night set to strike back against his sex assault accuser Virginia Giuffre by saying she doesn’t have the legal right to sue.
Lawyers for the Duke of York will cite a clause in a 2009 settlement between Ms Giuffre, 38, and paedo billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.
The secret agreement is said to release lawyers, employees, agents and heirs from liability in connection with the Epstein case – but Andrew is claiming it stretches to him too.
The Sun understands his formal defence response, due to be filed at court in the US last night, will focus on that clause.
The duke’s US lawyer Andrew Brettler said in a letter filed on Tuesday that he believes the agreement “releases Prince Andrew and others from any and all liability”.
And at a hearing last month, Mr Brettler also said it absolves his client, adding that the lawsuit was “baseless, non-viable and potentially unlawful”.
Virginia alleges that she was abused by the duke three times while underage.
Her team believe the agreement has no relevance to Andrew, 61, and will not stop her action.
The royal has vehemently denied all her claims.
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