A TOP lawyer for victims of Jeffrey Epstein has slammed Prince Andrew for “betraying Queen and country” by associating with the late pedo financier.

       Los Angeles-based Gloria Allred said of the Duke of York’s relationship with Epstein: “If you get down in the mud with pigs you are going to get mud on you.”

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       A top lawyer for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein slammed Andrew for 'betraying' the Queen Credit: Getty 5

       Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell Credit: Getty 5

       Prince Andrew and 17-year-old Virginia Roberts at Ghislaine Maxwell's London townhouse in 2001 Credit: AFP

       And she explained that Andrew, 61, could plead the Fifth Amendment and not answer questions when he is deposed in the civil lawsuit brought by his accuser Virginia Giuffre.

       The veteran attorney - who has worked with 20 Epstein victims - also gave a scathing view of Andrew’s defence.

       In comments to The Sun she said: “There are so many unanswered questions.

       “To attend residencies and obviously see so many underage girls there - it is not just Virginia, there were others.

       “I represented 20 accusers of Epstein - a number of who were underage.

       “This is not the life that a member of the Royal Family should be choosing if they care about their duties to the country.

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       “If you get down in the mud with pigs you are going to get mud on you.

       “This was always going to end badly. The benefit was never worth the risk.

       “He had a duty to think about others. He betrayed his duties and honours bestowed on him, and the Queen and the country.

       “It is a unique situation for a member of Royal Family.

       “There is only continued downside - anything and everything will be covered so it means continuing damage to the Royals and the Queen.

       “I am not passing judgment on whether he was guilty, but clearly the contact that we know of with Jeffrey Epstein, even after he was convicted of being a sexual predator, is very bad choices.

       “At best they are bad choices at worst they are something more than that.”

       The civil case against Andrew is going ahead after New York judge Lewis Kaplan rejected the royal’s attempt to get it tossed on a technicality.

       Following the decision, Andrew was stripped of his military titles and the honorific “His Royal Highness” by the Queen.

       The Duke of York is expected to be deposed by Ms. Giuffre’s star lawyer David Boies next month.

       He has vehemently denied her claim that she was forced to have sex with him under Epstein’s orders in London, New York and on the pedophile’s private island in the Caribbean when she was 17.

       CAR CRASH INTERVIEW

       Giving her view of Andrew’s car crash interview with the BBC in November 2019, Ms. Allred said: “He gave the Newsnight interview where he gave the ‘I don't sweat and went to a pizza parlour with my family’ defence.

       “Now that he said that, he has going to have to defend it, explain and provide evidence.

       “The Newsnight interview was not under oath. It is a different ball game now.”

       Ms. Allred also explained that Andrew could evoke the Fifth Amendment to any questions posed to him on camera when he is deposed by Ms. Giuffre’s lawyers.

       It allows those involved in a criminal or civil trial to refuse to answer questions to avoid incriminating themselves.

       Ms Allred said: “What is especially interesting about the deposition will be if he decides to evoke the fifth amendment privilege against self incrimination.

       “That will be one of the issues - if he can or should invoke it.”

       Asked if Andrew should defend himself Allred said: “I think he should sit for it. But does he have to answer the questions? No.

       “I am not going with a guilt by association. But in Jeffrey Epstein’s depositions he answered the questions by pleading the Fifth Amendment, but he appeared in person.

       “So the Prince needs to appear, but as to which questions he needs to answer I am sure his attorneys will advise him.”

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       Jeffrey Epstein in March 2017 Credit: AP 5

       The Duke could plead the Fifth Amendment and not answer questions Credit: Getty Images - Getty

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