Prince Andrew has been formally requested by US authorities for a criminal probe

US authorities have formally requested that Prince Andrew is to answer questions as witness in a criminal investigation.

Federal prosecutors from the Department of Justice have submitted a mutual legal assistance (MLA) request to the Home Office in London, according to the Sun newspaper.

Virginia Giuffre who alleges Prince Andrew had sex with her when she was a minor in 2001, and claims she was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein, featured in a Netflix documentary a few weeks ago.

A US lawyer said in March that the Duke of York has “completely shut the door” over co-operating with investigators over the probe.

Following a Newsnight interview Andrew said in a statement he was “willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

However, Geoffrey Berman, who is leading the Epstein inquiry, told reporters in March, “Contrary to Prince Andrew’s very public offer to co-operate with our investigation into Epstein’s co-conspirators, an offer that was conveyed via press release, Prince Andrew has now completely shut the door on voluntary co-operation and our office is considering its options.”

In an interview with the BBC Panorama Giuffre said she was left “horrified and ashamed” that they Duke had sex with her on three separate occasions, when she was 17, which is deemed a minor under US law.

Home Office guidance, is “usual policy” that the existence of a request is neither confirmed or denied.

Prince Andrew categorically denies he had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Giuffre.