Prince Andrew ’ s chances of appearing in a US court over ‘ sex slave ’ allegations receded last night , after authorities mounted a legal challenge against the woman who claims she slept with him . Prosecutors have asked a judge in Florida to reject Virginia Roberts ’ s plea to join a seven-year legal battle being waged by two other women . They are suing the US Government over the lenient treatment of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein , jailed for 18 months in 2008 . Virginia Roberts photographed with Prince Andrew in early 2001 . The chances of the Prince having to appear in court over her allegation she was forced to sleep with him look to be receding . The women , identified as ‘ Jane Does 1 and 2 ’ , claim their rights as victims were breached when they were not consulted over a controversial deal signed by prosecutors with billionaire Epstein , which granted him and others immunity from prosecution over dozens of cases of underage sexual abuse . In return , Epstein , 62 , a former friend of the Prince , pledged to pay compensation to his victims . In the new filing at Palm Beach County Court , prosecutors say Roberts was happy to receive an out-of-court settlement from Epstein , knowing the non-prosecution agreement had been signed . If the US authorities win the case , Andrew will be spared having to give evidence or make a witness statement . It will also mean Roberts , 32 will no longer be able to repeat any of her claims without fear of being sued . Legal experts said prosecutors had a strong case and believe it is likely a judge will side with them . US lawyer Charles Hayes said : ‘ The government just have to prove Roberts was aware of the [ immunity ] agreement and a judge will favour them . Jeffrey Epstein allegedly kept Virginia Roberts as a 'sex slave ' 'There has to be a very good reason to allow another party to join a long-running legal action and I don ’ t see one here. ’ The Prince was named in papers filed by Roberts earlier this year . She identified him as one of the men she was forced to sleep with while being kept as a ‘ sex slave ’ by Epstein . She also claimed that Ghislaine Maxwell , daughter of the late newspaper tycoon Robert Maxwell , and Epstein ’ s girlfriend , recruited her into the financier ’ s employment as a ‘ masseuse ’ . Roberts said she was ‘ loaned ’ to Epstein ’ s wealthy friends after being groomed over a number of years by him . Roberts claimed she had sex with Andrew on three separate occasions , including taking part in an orgy on Epstein ’ s private Caribbean island . Andrew has strenuously denied any sexual relationship with Roberts , who was 17 when they met . Ms Maxwell has also denied any wrongdoing . Buckingham Palace declined to comment . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article .
Roberts is trying to join the legal battle being waged by two other women . They are suing the US Government over the granting of immunity from prosecution of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein , 62 . In return the former friend of Prince Andrew paid compensation to victims . The Prince was named in papers filed by Roberts earlier this year . She claimed he was one of the men Epstein forced her to sleep with . If the US authorities win the case , Andrew will be spared a court date . He denies any sexual relationship with Roberts , who was 17 when they met .