Andrew's lawyers have lost a motion to dismiss a sex assault civil lawsuit brought by Ms Giuffre, Judge Lewis A Kaplan ruled on Wednesday. But as this is a civil case and not a criminal case, the Duke of York can still decide to contest it.

       Nicholas Witchell, the BBC's royal correspondent said: "He would have to give a deposition under oath. There's no question of him actually turning up in court and giving evidence. But if he decides to contest, both stories will then be susceptible to challenge. Andrews lawyers believe that he does have grounds, they believe that there are inconsistencies in Virginia's story and they are all keen to point these out."

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