BBC: Prince Andrew 'No Sweat' Interview

BBC NEWSNIGHT INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT Subject: HRH Prince Andrew, Duke of York Interviewer: Emily Maitlis Broadcast Date: November 16, 2019 Location: Buckingham Palace INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS: ON HIS FRIENDSHIP WITH EPSTEIN: Andrew: "Do I regret the fact that he has quite obviously conducted himself in a manner unbecoming? Yes." Maitlis: "Unbecoming? He was a sex offender." Andrew: "Yeah, I'm sorry, I'm being polite." ON STAYING AT EPSTEIN'S MANHATTAN MANSION (2010): Andrew admitted staying at Epstein's Manhattan residence after Epstein's conviction, describing it as "a convenient place to stay" and "the honorable and right thing to do" because he was there to end the friendship in person. ON VIRGINIA GIUFFRE'S ALLEGATIONS: Andrew: "I have no recollection of ever meeting this lady, none whatsoever." This statement was contradicted by a widely circulated photograph showing Andrew with his arm around Giuffre's waist. THE "PIZZA EXPRESS" ALIBI: Andrew claimed he could not have been at the London nightclub where Giuffre alleged they met because he had taken his daughter to a Pizza Express in Woking that afternoon — a specific detail that generated widespread public incredulity. THE "NO SWEAT" CLAIM: Andrew claimed Giuffre's account of him sweating profusely while dancing could not be accurate because: "I have a peculiar medical condition which is that I don't sweat... It was almost impossible for me to sweat." PUBLIC REACTION: The interview was widely described as catastrophic for Prince Andrew: - His PR adviser reportedly resigned before the broadcast - The royal family distanced themselves from his statements - Within days, Andrew announced he was stepping back from royal duties - The interview was cited as a factor in the subsequent civil lawsuit Source: BBC Newsnight Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/