Prince Andrew ‘recruits extradition lawyer once used by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet

Prince Andrew has recruited an extradition lawyer once used by Chilean dictator Augusto Pinochet after the FBI demanded an interview with the royal over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, it has been revealed. 

Claire Montgomery QC, known as the leading extradition lawyer in the UK, is said to be advising the 60-year-old Duke, after being instructed by Gary Bloxsome, a leading defence solicitor who has worked on similar cases in the past. 

Ms Montgomery, of Matrix Chambers, is a specialist with dealing with ‘cross border challenges’, according to her resume. 

Former Chilean leader and current Commander of the Chilean Armed Forces, Gen. Augusto Pinochet listens to a military band playing before his residence in Santiago 11 September to commemorate the 24th anniversary of the coup he led to overthrow the government of Salvador Allende

Among her long list of defence clients are Augusto Pinochet, the former dictator of Chile who was indicted for crimes against humanity by Spain during the 90s. 

General Pinochet was indicted on an international arrest warrant for human rights violations by Spain, before being arrested in a London hospital where he was undergoing minor surgery in 1998. 

In 1998 Mrs Montgomery represented the dictator in his case before the House of Lords -then the highest court in the country – in a hard-fought 16-month-long legal battle.    

She also represented the former Prime Minister of Thailand after he was ousted in a military coup in 2011; and Vijay Mallya, who India seeks to extradite from the UK to face financial crime charges. 

This March 28, 2017, file photo, provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry, shows Jeffrey Epstein

Mrs Montgomery charges fees up to £1,000 per hour, the Telegraph newspaper reported. 

The FBI, US prosecutors and lawyers for Epstein’s victims want to speak to Andrew as part of investigations into the disgraced financier’s sex trafficking ring. 

Ms Roberts, now known by her married name Giuffre, claims she was trafficked to London and coerced into having sex with the Prince on three occasions in London, New York and the US Virgin Islands. 

The Duke has categorically and repeatedly denied her claims.

Last month, US attorney Geoffrey Berman said prosecutors and the FBI had contacted the Duke’s representatives but had received no reply. 

Andrew was said to be ‘angry and bewildered’ about the claims, saying he had not been approached to speak about the case. 

Up until now, information about the Duke’s legal team had been unknown, with aides at the Palace refusing to give up the information about who he had instructed.