Sarah Ferguson 'sent grovelling apology to Jeffrey Epstein'

Sarah Ferguson sent a grovelling apology to Jeffrey Epstein and hailed him a "supreme friend" after his release from jail for child sex offences, it has been claimed.

The Duchess of York allegedly emailed the millionaire paedophile just weeks after she pledged never to contact him again in an interview. In the March 2011 interview, she apologised for having accepted £15,000 from Epstein, a long-time associate of her ex-husband Prince Andrew.

She said: "I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf."

But in the email, said to be sent in April, she said sorry to Epstein, claiming she "never used the P (paedophilia) word about you".

It is claimed she added Epstein had "always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family".

But she was acting on advice because to maintain contact "would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself".

A friend of the said she had no option but to write the email after Epstein threatened to sue her.

A spokesman for the Duchess said: "The Duchess spoke of her regret about her association with Epstein many years ago, and as they have always been, her first thoughts are with his victims.

"Like many people, she was taken in by his lies.

"As soon as she was aware of the extent of the allegations against him, she not only cut off contact but condemned him publicly, to the extent that he then threatened to sue her for defamation for associating him with paedophilia.

"She does not shrink back from anything she said then.

"This email was sent in the context of advice the Duchess was given to try to assuage Epstein and his threats."