A THIS Morning star has broken down in tears live on air after discussing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
Ashley James, 38, who has bravely spoken about her experience being raped at Nottingham University as a 21-year-old, commended the bravery of Virginia Giuffre.
Speaking out for fellow survivors Ashley said watching Andrew’s arrest unfold left her feeling “very emotional.”
Describing the assault she endured, the daytime show star said it was “one of the worst moments of my life.”
Because her attacker was someone she knew, the former Made in Chelsea star said she didn’t report them.
Ashley said: “I feel very emotional watching this actually. There’s a reason I feel so upset about it.
“So many of us have watched the survivors of Jeffrey Epstein try to get justice and I felt a huge sense of relief yesterday watching Andrew be arrested.
“Of course, his arrest is about state matters and not about the alleged sexual abuse of Virginia Giuffre, who is of course, no longer here.”
The 38-year-old recalled how the attack she endured occurred after a night out at a club with pals while she’d been unconscious.
Waiving her anonymity, Ashley explained she was speaking out to fight for better support for victims of sexual assault.
She explained she wanted to “change the conversation” about rape.
Ashley added that she had been inspired by the bravery of French abuse victim Gisele Pelicot.
Pelicot’s words, “Shame must change sides,” had a profound effect on Ashley.
When it was revealed yesterday that ex-prince Andrew had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office Ashley became visibly emotional while discussing the arrest live on air.
Andrew’s arrest followed allegations that he had shared sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while he was acting as trade envoy.
It follows allegations that the disgraced royal had sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre while he was associated with Epstein.
Andrew has consistently and vehemently denied wrongdoing.
Ashley explained that as a survivor of sexual assault she knew how tough it was to speak out.
The mum-of-two explained: “You question the system that makes it so difficult for survivors to speak out.
“And I just want to commend the bravery of Virginia because if she hadn’t come forward, we may not have learned this about Andrew.”
After Andrew’s arrest his older brother, King Charles, issued a statement saying “the law must take its course.”
Ashley applauded the King’s words but questioned why it had taken so long for Andrew to face justice.
Speaking on the ITV show, she explained: “Let me also remind people that Andrew paid out a huge sum of money – whether that’s royal money I don’t know – but how much did they know?”
This Morning guest Gyles Brandreth then came to the King’s defence, pointing out that he likely moved Andrew to the Sandringham estate to ensure the taxpayer wouldn’t be funding his living expenses.
