‘It’s a joyous moment’ – Prince Andrew’s accuser’s brother

Virginia Giuffre’s brother told the BBC his family had mixed emotions after Prince Andrew announced he was giving up his titles.

“We shed a lot of happy tears and sad tears today. I think we’re happy because in a lot of ways it vindicates Virginia,” Skye Roberts said.

Prince Andrew is under increasing pressure over his links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Ms Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, said she was one of many vulnerable girls and young women who were sexually exploited by Epstein and his circle of wealthy connections.

She claims the prince had sex with her at his friend Ghislaine Maxwell’s house in London in 2001, when Ms Giuffre was 17, and on two other occasions.

In a statement released to announce the surrender of his titles, Andrew said he continues to “vigorously deny the allegations against me”.