Prince Andrew’s account of the beginnings of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein have been disputed by the disgraced financier’s former girlfriend, Ghislaine Maxwell. The claims were revealed as transcripts from a US Department of Justice interview with Ms Maxwell were published.

The Duke of York described himself as a friend of Maxwell and her as Jeffrey Epstein 's girlfriend when he gave a disastrous interview to the BBC in 2019. The Newsnight sit-down led to him having to step back from public life and face widespread ridicule on social media.

In the hundreds of pages of transcripts, Maxwell spoke glowingly of President Trump, called him a “gentleman in all respects” and describing him as “friendly” with Epstein.