Sarah Ferguson breaks silence after she 'sent grovelling apology to Jeffrey Epstein'

Following reports that Sarah, Duchess of York sent an apology to her "supreme friend", Jeffrey Epstein, after his release from jail for child sex offences, a spokesman has issued a statement.

The Duchess 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.

Following claims that the Duchess emailed Epstein, her spokesperson has said she was "taken in by his lies" and sent the email only to avoid the threat of defamation.

The spokesman 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 resile 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."

The email the Duchess sent was reported in The Sun and the Mail on Sunday. It read: "I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that.

"You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family. I am apologising to you today for not replying to your email or reaching out to you. I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed.

"I was advised, in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did - I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost.

"So please understand. I didn't want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in overriding fear. I am sorry."