Spotlight turns on Prince Andrew once more after arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell

The arrest of Ghislaine Maxwell will see the spotlight of public scrutiny turn once again on the Duke of York, who became embroiled in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal by virtue of their friendship.

The Duke has already faced serious questions over his friendship with Epstein, but has so far been accused by US prosecutors of failing to provide a suitable level of cooperation.

He has always denied allegations made by Virginia Roberts Guiffre, who claims they had sex on three separate occasions including when she was 17.

Ms Maxwell’s arrest, and any testimony she provides, could now provide the key, with the British socialite thought to have the ability to fully corroborate his denials to the FBI on record, or provide evidence leading to new areas of investigation.

It comes after years of uncomfortable speculation for the Duke, who stepped back from his official royal duties in November following a disastrous Newsnight interview about his friendship with the late Epstein.

Addressing his friendship with Ms Maxwell, who introduced him to Epstein in 1999, he disclosed he had previously invited her to events including a "straightforward shooting weekend" at Sandringham and to Princess Beatrice's 18th birthday party at Windsor Castle.

Asked if the pair had discussed Epstein when they met at Buckingham Palace in the summer, he replied; “No, actually - funnily enough, no, not at all.

“There wasn't anything to discuss about him because he wasn't in the news, you know, it was just ... we had moved on."

Shortly after the Newsnight interview, he issued a statement admitting the issue of his former friendship with Epstein had become “a major disruption” to his work and patronages, saying: “Therefore, I have asked Her Majesty if I may step back from public duties for the foreseeable future, and she has given her permission.”

Royal-watchers have noted he has since appeared to be attempting to rebuild his reputation, photographed at home in Royal Lodge during lockdown packing boxes for charity.

Hopes of a full return to public life now rely on finally putting his association with Epstein and accusation from Ms Roberts Giuffre to rest.

A source close to the Duke’s working group on Thursday night said he continued to try to cooperate with the US Department of Justice, despite their public claims to the contrary.

“The Duke’s team remains bewildered given that we have twice communicated with the DOJ in the last month and to-date, we have had no response,” they said.

On what he should do now, Nigel Cawthorne, author of recent biography Prince Andrew, Epstein and the Palace, said: “The prince should take a very deep breath, swallow his ego, and follow humbly the advice of the experts who are advising him to the letter – no ifs and no buts."