Face of Nation : Prince Andrew has kept a low profile since landing in Perth amid continued scrutiny about his friendship with dead billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, but he will attend a local university as part of his private work trip.
The Duke of York arrived in Perth on Monday evening onboard an Emirates flight and is staying in a suite at the luxurious Como The Treasury hotel. He will host the boot camp and main event of Pitch@Palace Australia 3.0 for entrepreneurs, including an event at Murdoch University on Wednesday and Government House on Friday.
The program is aimed at providing international support and development opportunities for early-stage businesses. During previous visits, Prince Andrew has been keen to promote the program in the media, but this time his links to Epstein’s scandal has marred his visit amid reports the FBI is expanding its investigation into Epstein.
The disgraced American financier took his own life in August in a New York prison cell where he was detained on charges of sex trafficking teenage girls. The Sunday Times newspaper says the FBI expects to interview alleged trafficking victims over the next two months and Scotland Yard is ready help.
The newspaper says the FBI is looking to several potential victims in the hope they can provide more details about the Duke’s links to Epstein. Scotland Yard previously held an investigation after one woman caught up in the scandal, Virginia Giuffre, made allegations against Prince Andrew, but that probe was dropped in 2015. Prince Andrew has denied all allegations against him, saying they are “without foundation”.
