Prince Andrew’s team ‘talked to US lobbyists’ linked to Donald Trump about Epstein scandal
Sources claim Washington lobbyist ‘expressed discomfort’ over aiding Duke of York

Lawyers representing Prince Andrew approached a US lobbyist with links to Donald Trump for help dealing with the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, according to reports.
A “person familiar with the circumstances” claims that the Duke’s London-based legal team has consulted in recent weeks with lobbyist Robert Stryk, but that “talks about the potential representation appear to have fizzled”, says The New York Times (NYT).
Stryk reportedly “expressed discomfort about the possibility of assisting Prince Andrew”, despite his record of “taking on clients with unsavory reputations”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Stryk “is well connected in Trump administration foreign policy circles” and has “developed a reputation in recent years for taking on clients other Washington lobbyists and consultants shy away from”, the newspaper adds.
His clients include Isabel dos Santos, “the daughter of the former Angolan president, who is accused of embezzling millions, and the government of Joseph Kabila, former president of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who has been sanctioned for human rights abuses”, says UK paper The Times.
The NYT reports that both the Royal’s legal team and Stryk have made no comment about the talks claims.
But according to The Times, a source close to Andrew has refuted the reports, saying: “This looks like a lobbying firm advertising. No engagements have been made or sought.”
The newspaper adds: “It is understood that an introductory conversation took place but it was not initiated by Prince Andrew’s team and went no further.”
Meanwhile, a close confidant of Epstein’s former ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell told The Telegraph that the socialite “will ‘never’ offer any information about the Duke as part of a plea deal” following her arrest last week. New York prosecutors claim that Maxwell played a “critical role” in helping the late paedophile “identify, befriend and groom” victims, and took part in some of the abuse.
“It is thought Ms Maxwell’s arrest could have significant implications for the Duke”, who was “reportedly introduced to the billionaire paedophile by her”, the paper says.
But Maxwell’s friend Laura Goldman, a former New York stockbroker, insists that while “the only way” the British socialite can walk free is “if she gives someone up” to investigators, “that definitely won’t be Andrew”.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
June 28 editorial cartoons
Cartoons Saturday's political cartoons include stupid wars, a critical media, and mask standards
-
Thai fish pie with crispy turmeric potatoes recipe
The Week Recommends Tasty twist on the Lancashire hot pot is given a golden glow
-
Palestine Action: protesters or terrorists?
Talking Point Damaging RAF equipment at Brize Norton blurs line between activism and sabotage, but proscription is a drastic step
-
Trump's strikes on Iran: a 'spectacular success'?
In Depth Military humiliations 'expose the brittleness' of Tehran's ageing regime, but risk reinforcing its commitment to its nuclear program
-
Will NATO countries meet their new spending goal?
today's big question The cost of keeping Trump happy
-
GOP races to revise megabill after Senate rulings
Speed Read A Senate parliamentarian ruled that several changes to Medicaid included in Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" were not permissible
-
Trump plans Iran talks, insists nuke threat gone
Speed Read 'The war is done' and 'we destroyed the nuclear,' said President Trump
-
Trump embraces NATO after budget vow, charm offensive
Speed Read The president reversed course on his longstanding skepticism of the trans-Atlantic military alliance
-
Bibi's back: what will Netanyahu do next?
Today's Big Question Riding high after a series of military victories, Israel's PM could push for peace in Gaza – or secure his own position with snap election
-
Trump judge pick told DOJ to defy courts, lawyer says
Speed Read Emil Bove, a top Justice Department official nominated by Trump for a lifetime seat, stands accused of encouraging government lawyers to mislead the courts and defy judicial orders
-
The ambiguous legal state of ectopic pregnancy care
The Explainer Rep. Kat Cammack's accusations of 'fearmongering' are the latest example of how mixed messages are complicating the debate around abortion