Constable Chris Taylor defended the Duke of York, who stepped back from Royal duties last year amid allegations about his relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, saying the prince was guilty of nothing unless it was proven otherwise.
‘I believe in the British justice system and that someone is innocent until proven guilty,’ said Mr Taylor, who lamented the ‘trial by social media’ culture around the case.
The Bailiff’s Chambers issued a statement this week saying there was no requirement for public or government buildings to raise the Union Flag, following the Queen’s second son’s decision to step back from official duties. A similar ruling has been made in the UK.
At least eight other parishes chose not to raise the flag. The JEP was unable to contact Grouville, St Martin and Trinity.
The Duke has been accused of having sex with a 17-year-old as part of Epstein’s sex trafficking ring. Epstein, who spent time in prison for procuring the prostitution of an under-age girl, was arrested again in July last year on suspicion of sex trafficking and died in jail on August. His cause of death was ruled as suicide.
US Attorney Geoffrey Berman has also said the prince has provided ‘zero co-operation’ with ongoing FBI investigations into sex trafficking, despite promising to help authorities in a BBC interview. The Prince was widely criticised for other comments he made in the interview, which was filmed at Buckingham Palace.
When he asked why he chose to raise the flag, despite concerns about the prince’s behaviour and links to a sex offender, Mr Taylor said: ‘It was choice, and I believe in the British justice system and it is my belief that an individual is innocent until proven guilty.
‘There have been no charges brought against him. There have been situations where many public figures have had relationships or connections to figures that have shown unsatisfactory conduct.
‘That does not mean that person has been involved or has any knowledge of it. A person is innocent until proven guilty.
‘There is too much judging by social media and I don’t think it is fair. I am not on social media, so I stay away from it.
‘I don’t want to comment any more on this story [about Prince Andrew] or reports. I saw some of the interview on the BBC but not all of it. Trial by TV and social media is not something I support.’
Campaigner and self-styled paedophile hunter Cheyenne O’Connor had vowed to stage a protest if flags were raised outside the States Chamber and Royal Court.
Virginia Giuffre – formerly known as Virginia Roberts – claims she had sex with the Duke on three occasions, including during a trip to London in 2001 when she was 17. She claims Epstein paid her $15,000 to have sex with the Duke in London.
Prince Andrew has not been charged with any offence and strenuously denies any impropriety.
