Royal scandal: Prince Andrew to step back from public duties
(The Star Theatre)

LONDON - Following days of turmoil that have damaged the British royal family´s reputation, Prince Andrew has decided to step back from public duties with the queen´s permission because of his association with a notorious sex offender.The second son of Queen Elizabeth II said in a statement Wednesday that it has become clearto him in recent days that his association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has become a `major distraction` to the royal family´s charitable work. It´s unclear whether this is a temporary or permanent change in Andrew´s role.Andrew said in the statement he is `of course` willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with its investigation if required.The unseemly scandal has rocked the royal family, particularly over the past few days since his unsuccessful television interview on Saturday failed to bring an end to highly personal questions over his links to Epstein.The decision of a senior royal to step away from his royal duties is extremely unusual and reflects the degree to which charities and educational institutions had been questioning their associations with him in recent days.`It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family´s work and the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support,` he said.Andrew, who showed no remorse in Saturday´s interview, said he regrets his association with the former U.S. billionaire investor. He said he `deeply sympathizes` with Epstein´s many victims, many of whom were underage and victims of trafficking.The statement made clear that Andrew and his advisers understand how damaging his TV interview was to his reputation.Andrew earned widespread derision during the interview because he seemed to show no regrets for his close association with the convicted sex offender, who took his own life on Aug. 10 in a New Yor ...