U.S. prosecutors accuse Prince Andrew of refusing to cooperate in investigations involving the accomplice of American pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

"Contrary to the offer of joint investigations regarding Epstein expressed in an earlier press release, Prince Andrew is now refusing voluntary cooperation and our office is considering alternatives. "US prosecutor Geoffrey Berman, who led the investigation of billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, issued a statement in New York on March 9.

Berman said he was disappointed when Prince Andrew "broke up", adding that the Duke of York could be summoned to provide evidence. Last November, Andrew issued a statement saying he was "willing to help with all the investigations of appropriate law enforcement agencies if necessary".

Buckingham Palace has yet to comment on the information.

The Telegraph on March 7 revealed that the Duke of York hired Clare Montgomery QC, a leading expert on extradition law, to oppose the FBI investigation of his friendship with Epstein, the billionaire who committed suicide in his home. jailed in New York last summer while on trial for pedophile charges.

Prince Andrew, 60, had trouble admitting to being with Epstein and had time to spend time at his home in New York. Andew had been accused of sexual abuse by an Epstein victim, Virginia Giuffre, when she was 17 in 2001, but the Prince claimed that he did not know her.

The Duke of York in February postponed his promotion to the British Royal Navy admiral after he asked to stop participating in royal affairs due to the controversy surrounding his relationship with Epstein.

Epstein hanged himself in a prison in New York last August while awaiting trial on charges of sexual abuse and operating a juvenile prostitution line. However, US officials continue to conduct investigations against the accomplices of this billionaire.