Prince Andrew is to face a civil case in the US over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17

Prince Andrew is to face a civil case in the US over allegations he sexually assaulted a woman when she was 17. Virginia Giuffre is suing the prince, claiming he abused her in 2001. His lawyers said the complaint should be dismissed, citing a 2009 deal she signed with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. But a New York judge ruled the case could continue. The prince has consistently denied the claims while Buckingham Palace said it would not comment on an ongoing legal matter.

The motion to dismiss the lawsuit was outlined in a 46-page decision by Judge Lewis A Kaplan of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. It means the case against the Duke of York, 61, could be heard in court later this year. Judge Kaplan said his ruling did not determine the truth or falsity of Giuffre’s complaint.