The FBI has announced that it has officially ended its investigation into Prince Andrew's links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. Much to the fury of the late financier's victims, investigators have concluded that no charges will be brought against the Duke of York or any other high-profile associate of Epstein.
Prince Andrew has repeatedly and vehemently denied the claims but later settled a lawsuit against the late Virginia Giuffre (formerly Roberts) for an undisclosed sum, without accepting any liability. However, his links to Epstein led to him stepping down as a senior working member of the Royal Family in 2019.
Ms Giuffre was one of the most prominent accusers of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and sadly took her life at her farm in Western Australia back in April.
According to a new two-page memo from the FBI, investigators "did not uncover evidence that could predicate an investigation against uncharged third parties."
It added that "perpetuating unfounded theories about Epstein serves neither justice nor the victims," and says that one of the government's highest priorities remains "combatting child exploitation and bringing justice to victims."
Officials went on to say that claims of its existence were based on "unfounded theories," many of which were spread by political allies of US President Donald Trump, who was once a close friend of Epstein.
As part of its conclusions, the Department of Justice is set to release hours of CCTV footage from the paedophile's final days in custody at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in Manhattan before he took his life.
The Duke of York memorably took part in an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2019 in which he addressed his association with Epstein. He was also asked about claims made by Ms Giuffre.
During her time as a vocal campaigner for survivors of sexual abuse, Ms Giuffre alleged that Epstein forced her to have sex with the Duke of York three times when she was 17 - in New York, London, and the US Virgin Islands.
Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied the claims but later settled a lawsuit against her for an undisclosed sum, without accepting any liability.
On November 16, 2019, Andrew gave his now-infamous interview to BBC's Newsnight, where he claimed that he has "no recollection of ever meeting" Ms Giuffre, further denying the allegations against him.
Regarding Epstein, he stated that: "I have stayed in a number of his residences. At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction."