Journalist helped ‘concoct’ sex assault claims against Andrew, Maxwell claimed
The document was one of 250 files that are set to be released in connection with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Disgraced British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell claimed a journalist helped Virginia Giuffre “concoct” sexual assault allegations against the Duke of York, court documents have revealed.
A US judge ordered hundreds of documents to be unsealed as part of Ms Giuffre’s previously settled civil claim against Maxwell, which was filed in 2015.
In one document from 2016, which was released on Thursday, Maxwell’s lawyers made submissions that journalist Sharon Churcher should be compelled to give evidence as part of the case.
The socialite’s legal team claimed Ms Churcher was “aware” the allegations made by Ms Giuffre against Prince Andrew were “false” and said she “helped manufacture some of the stories that have been denied”.
Andrew stepped down from public life after the furore over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met.
The duke was cast out of the working monarchy and no longer uses his HRH style after Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by Epstein, accused him of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.
He strenuously denies any wrongdoing.
The document showed that Maxwell’s legal team accused Ms Churcher, who was working for the Mail on Sunday, of explaining to Ms Giuffre “how she can corroborate a story to tell the FBI – that she was ‘given to’ Prince Andrew”.
Her legal team also alleged that a handwritten diary by Ms Giuffre, which contained information about her alleged encounter with Andrew, was a “completely fabricated document”.
So far just over 40 out of around 250 documents have been released in connection with the case.