Settlement between Prince Andrew's accuser and Jeffrey Epstein released

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View online January 04, 2022   1 / Revealed: Epstein settlement deal Prince Andrew hopes will block accuser's sex assault case Details of a settlement between Jeffrey Epstein and Virginia Giuffre that Prince Andrew's lawyers believe will stop him facing a sex abuse lawsuit have been made public on the eve of a pivotal court hearing in the case against the royal.   A 2009 legal document unsealed by a New York court on Monday revealed Ms Giuffre was paid $500,000 (£370,000) to settle her claims against the late paedophile financier, a former friend of the Duke of York.   The 12-page deal shows Ms Giuffre agreed to "release, acquit, satisfy, and forever discharge" Epstein and "any other person or entity who could have been included as a potential defendant".   2 / NHS in 'state of crisis' as hospitals declare critical incidents and PM warns pressure to last for weeks Hospitals plead with 'exhausted' staff to give up rest days   3 / Boris Johnson 'did not isolate after contact with aide who tested positive for Covid' Source claims videographer and PM stood 'face-to-face' for 15 minutes   4 / Homeless people told to sleep on streets first if they want housing help Exclusive: Situation branded 'unacceptable' by campaigners and MPs     5 / Elizabeth Holmes found guilty of fraud and conspiracy at Theranos startup Jury was asked to consider whether she intentionally mislead investors, doctors and patients while collecting impressive investments The Big Question     Who is Virginia Giuffre and what are her allegations against Prince Andrew? A woman who claims she was sex trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein is mounting a civil lawsuit accusing Prince Andrew of sexual assault. Virginia Roberts Giuffre, 38, filed her suit against the Duke of York in the Southern District Court of New York in August under the state's Child Victims Act.   The suit alleges Prince Andrew sexually abused Ms Giuffre as a teenager on multiple occasions in London, Manhattan, and the US Virgin Islands in 2001 - allegations which he denies.   Prince Andrew's legal team have sought to have the case dismissed, arguing that a 2009 settlement between Ms Giuffre and Epstein will stop the civil sex lawsuit against the royal.   The legal document is expected to be unsealed and made public later today. Andrew B Brettler, who represents the Duke, had argued at a previous hearing that Ms Giuffre had entered into a "settlement agreement" that would end her lawsuit. Read the full story >   Watch / Taliban officials dump 3,000 litres of alcohol into canal in booze crackdown NUMBER OF THE DAY 70,000,000C The temperature reached by a nuclear fusion reactor in China and which has as a result set a new record for sustained high temperatures after running five times hotter than the sun for more than 17 minutes, according to state media. QUOTE OF THE DAY "In many parts of the health service, we are currently in a state of crisis." –  Matthew Taylor, chief executive of the NHS Confederation, which represents hospitals  Other stories you might like Sir Keir Starmer to attack PM as 'branch of entertainment industry' in New Year speech Donald Trump and children Ivanka and Don subpoenaed in New York fraud probe All gay sex convictions to be pardoned in plan to 'right wrongs of the past' Articles available exclusively to subscribers Kate Hughes, The Independent: How my family went zero-waste, and how you can too If you can spare a minute we'd love your feedback on our newsletters.     Join the conversation or follow us Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter. Add us to your safe list of senders.   If you do not want to receive The Independent's Morning Headlines newsletter, please unsubscribe.   If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our privacy notice and cookie policy.