Britain's Prince Andrew denies meeting sex accuser Virginia Roberts

Britain's Prince Andrew has said he does t remember meeting Virginia Roberts, one of disgraced US financier Jeffrey Epstein's alleged victims, who says she was forced to have sex with royal. But Andrew admits in an interview with BBC due to be broadcast on Saturday that his decision to remain friends with Epstein after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a mir in 2008 was a serious error of judgement.

"I have recollection of ever meeting this lady, ne whatsoever," Andrew told BBC interviewer Emily Maitlis, according to extracts from "Prince Andrew and Epstein Scandal" released ahead of programme's broadcast.

Criticised over links to Epstein

Andrew, second son of Queen Elizabeth II and eighth in line to throne, has been heavily criticised over his links to multimillionaire Epstein, who died in custody in US in August. A photograph apparently showing Andrew with his arm around n 17-year-old Roberts, w Giuffre, and with Epstein's friend Ghislaine Maxwell standing in background, has been widely published. Supporters of Andrew, however, have disputed its aunticity. Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to procuring a girl under of 18 for prostitution and served 13 months in US prison before being released on probation.

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'Regretted decision'

Pressed in interview over fact that he remained friends with Epstein even after his conviction, Andrew, 59, admitted that he regretted that decision.

"I stayed with him and that's... that's... that's bit that... that... that, as it were, I kick myself for on a daily basis," prince said.

"Because it was t something that was becoming of a member of royal family and we try and uphold highest standards and practices and I let side down, simple as that," he told Maitlis of BBC's Newsnight programme.

Epstein, 66, who was arrested in New York in July on charges of trafficking under girls for sex, was found dead in his New York jail cell on August 10 while awaiting trial over abuses involving girls at his Palm Beach home and on his private island in Caribbean. A coroner ruled that he committed suicide by hanging.

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Financier hobbbed with politicians, socialites

Over years, financier hobbbed with politicians, socialites and celebrities, including Donald Trump before he was president, and Bill Clinton. In August, Giuffre, who says she was abused by Epstein for years and farmed out to his wealthy friends including Andrew, said " reckoning must t end, it must continue". Giuffre has said she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew three times, an allegation he has strongly denied.

"He kws exactly what he's done and I hope he comes clean about it," she told reporters after a US hearing on August 27 at which or alleged victims of Epstein including also described how y were abused.

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Buckingham Palace denied claims

Giuffre previously testified that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew in London when she was 17. She said she had sex with him again in New York and on Epstein's private island in Caribbean. But allegations were struck from record by a US judge in 2015, who said "lurid details" were t needed to decide a civil case concerning Epstein. She has filed a lawsuit in US accusing Epstein of using her as a "sex slave". Buckingham Palace has strenuously denied claims, calling m "false and without foundation".

BBC interview is first time that Andrew has addressed questions over Epstein controversy. In August, Buckingham Palace issued a statement after a video was released purporting to show Andrew at home of Epstein in 2010. "His Royal Highness deplores exploitation of any human being and suggestion he would condone, participate in or encour any such behaviour is abhorrent," statement said.

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