Mayor of London Boris Johnson has sympathy for Britain's Prince Andrew over recent sex allegations made against him.
The 54-year-old prince has been accused by American Virginia Roberts of having sex with her when she was 17 in the state of Florida, where the age of consent was and is 18.
However, Prince Andrew has received support from the London Mayor, who told LBC: "Prince Andrew, let's be very clear, is a guy who does a huge amount of unsung, unheralded work for this country.
"People, they go on and and about the air miles and so on, actually I have seen that guy get out there and sell this country, try and help British firms to get business around the world.
"He does a huge amount of good and a huge amount of hard work. So if you are asking me whether I have sympathy for him, of course I do."
Boris said people in Britain struggle to appreciate the influence Prince Andrew has in the global business community.
He explained: "We may think it's bizarre, but somebody who is the second son of the Queen is felt in many parts of the world to be an interesting and significant figure and they will receive him cordially and people who come with him they want to hear what business suggestions they have.
"So I think that people should respect that side of his work."
Prince Andrew has already denied all of the accusations made against him.
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