LONDON - Following days of turmoil that have damaged the British royal family´s reputation, Prince Andrew announced Wednesday that he will step back from public duties because of his association with a notorious American sex offender.The second son of Queen Elizabeth II said in a statement that his ties to Jeffrey Epstein had become a `major distraction` to the royal family´s charitable work. It was unclear whether the change was a temporary or permanent shift in his role.Andrew said he had obtained the queen´s permission to step away. He also said he was willing to help any law enforcement agency with an investigation.The scandal has rocked the royal family, particularly since a television interview on Saturday failed to ease the many questions about Andrew´s links to Epstein.For a senior royal to step away from his duties is extremely unusual and reflects the degree to which charities and educational institutions had questioned their associations with him in recent days.Andrew said his history with Epstein had disrupted his family´s work and `the valuable work going on in the many organizations and charities that I am proud to support.`The prince said he regretted his ties to the billionaire investor, who took his own life in August while in jail on sex-trafficking charges. Andrew said he `deeply sympathizes` with Epstein´s victims, many of whom were underage victims of trafficking.In the interview, the prince seemed to show no remorse for his relationship with Epstein. Wednesday´s statement made clear that Andrew and his advisers now understand how damaging the interview was.Epstein´s suicide `has left many unanswered questions, particularly for his victims, and I deeply sympathize with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure,` Andrew said. `I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives.`Like most senior members of the royal family, Andrew was a patron for charities and other civic endeavours, lending his name a ...
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