Prince Andrew settles US civil sex assault case

Prince Andrew has settled a civil sexual assault case brought against him in the US by Virginia Giuffre, court documents show.

Ms Giuffre had been suing the Duke of York, claiming he sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was 17, allegations he has repeatedly denied.

A letter filed to the US district court on Tuesday said the duke and Ms Giuffre had reached an out-of-court settlement.

The duke's representatives said he had no comment beyond the court statement.

A statement in the letter to US judge Lewis A Kaplan, said the duke would make a "substantial donation to Ms Giuffre's charity in support of victims' rights".

It added that Prince Andrew had "never intended to malign Ms Giuffre's character" and that he recognised she had "suffered both as an established victim of abuse and as a result of unfair public attacks".

The duke also pledged to "demonstrate his regret for his association" with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein by supporting the "fight against the evils of sex trafficking, and by supporting its victims".

He also commended the "bravery of Ms Giuffre and other survivors in standing up for themselves and others".

Asked for comment on the latest development, Ms Giuffre's lawyer David Boies told the PA News agency: "I believe this event speaks for itself."