Prince Andrew accuser Virginia Giuffre vows to ‘continue to expose truth’

Virginia Giuffre has vowed to continue to “expose the truth” as her civil sex case against the Duke of York proceeds to trial.

It came as the Queen stripped her son of his military affiliations and royal patronages, Buckingham Palace announced in a shock statement.

Judge Lewis A Kaplan on Wednesday dismissed a motion by the duke’s lawyers to have the lawsuit thrown out.

Ms Giuffre is suing the duke in the US for allegedly sexually assaulting her when she was a teenager.

She wrote on Twitter she was “pleased” with the ruling, adding: “I’m glad I will have the chance to continue to expose the truth & I am deeply grateful to my extraordinary legal team.

“Their determination helps me seek justice from those who hurt me and so many others. My goal has always been to show that the rich and powerful are not above the law & must be held accountable.

“I do not walk this path alone, but alongside countless other survivors of sexual abuse & trafficking.”

Ms Giuffre claims she was trafficked by Andrew’s friend Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with the duke when she was 17 and a minor under US law.

The duke has strenuously denied the allegations.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement on Thursday: “With the Queen’s approval and agreement, the Duke of York’s military affiliations and royal patronages have been returned to the Queen.

“The Duke of York will continue not to undertake any public duties and is defending this case as a private citizen.”

It is understood the decision was taken by mutual agreement between the Queen and her son but the ultimate decision would have fallen to the monarch and been a difficult one.