Ghislaine Maxwell's friend says Prince Andrew 'doesn't know a lot' about Jeffrey Epstein because he is 'not that intelligent'

Prince Andrew "doesn't know a lot" about what convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was doing, a friend of Ghislaine Maxwell has claimed.

Former investment banker Laura Goldman said Prince Andrew did not ask questions because he is "not that intelligent" and "spoiled".

It comes after Maxwell appeared in court in the US on Thursday accused of helping disgraced financier Epstein “identify, befriend and groom” multiple girls, including one as young as 14.

The duke, who is a former friend of Epstein, has since been urged to provide information to the investigation by a US attorney.

Ms Goldman told Good Morning Britain: "Prince Andrew doesn't know a lot. Partially because he's not that intelligent, and he is spoiled and entitled so he didn't really ask questions about what was happening."

She claimed that Maxwell was a victim of Jeffrey Epstein.

"I believe in supporting my friend. She is a victim of Jeffrey Epstein just like many other people were, it doesn't mean that what she did was right, she should pay for her crimes", she said.

She added: "He would not let her leave. She tried many many times. There were things he had on her that if she had left in an angry way would have destroyed her life."

At a brief hearing last Thursday, a magistrate judge ordered her to remain in custody while she is transferred to New York for a detention hearing.

Four of the six charges cover Maxwell’s dealings with Epstein from 1994 to 1997, when she was in an “intimate relationship” with him, according to the indictment.

These include conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts and enticement of a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts.

She is further charged with conspiracy to transport minors with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity and transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity.

Epstein killed himself last August before facing trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

Audrey Strauss, acting US attorney for the southern district of New York, told a press conference that authorities would “welcome” a statement from the duke.

But a source close to the duke said he was “bewildered” by claims made by US authorities that he has not offered to co-operate with the Epstein case.

One of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by the financier, alleges the duke had sex with her on three separate occasions, including when she was 17, still a minor under US law.

The duke categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Ms Giuffre.