Women who say they have information about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor do not have enough faith in British police to speak to them, an American lawyer representing hundreds of Jeffrey Epstein victims has told the BBC.
Brad Edwards said he had "multiple clients" who could speak about the former prince but do not believe they would receive proper treatment in the UK, and fear speaking out would result in press intrusion.
Among his clients are a woman who has alleged she was sent to the UK for a sexual encounter with the former prince.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said people who come forward will be "treated with care, compassion and respect".
Edwards told BBC News: "Our multiple clients, plural, with information about [Mountbatten-Windsor] will not speak with authorities in the UK for two reasons.
"First, the authorities did not care to do anything when Epstein was alive, so their confidence is low.
"Second, and most important, the harassment by the British press has dissuaded them from ever cooperating with UK authorities or speaking with the British press."
Edwards represents a woman who has made an allegation against Mountbatten-Windsor about an encounter at the former prince's home Royal Lodge in 2010, before he had invited her to Buckingham Palace for tea.
Thames Valley Policeconfirmed in February they would assess that claim.
She is the second woman to allege she was abused in the UK, following Virginia Giuffre.
Edwards said that "more than one client" had initially been willing to cooperate with British police in relation to that allegation, but were dissuaded when UK-based journalists began investigating the woman, as well as her family.
Edwards said "other victims took notice" of the fact that speaking out had resulted in the woman's privacy being threatened.
Thames Valley Police said it had engaged with the woman's legal team but her lawyer had said she would not communicate with police over fears regarding her privacy.
Edwards confirmed Thames Valley Police had been in contact with him.
