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Emily Maitlis has revealed that a phrase used by Prince Andrew in a bombshell interview struck a "really weird note". Speaking in an episode of the High Performance podcast, the former BBC newsreader shared insights into her famous chat with the Duke of York, on Newsnight in 2019.

In the interview, Andrew, who stepped away from his royal duties after the headline-hitting exchange, discussed his alleged friendship with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who was found dead in his prison cell on August 10, 2019, and allegations against him. Now, Emily has opened up about certain "little phrases" she picked up on during the infamous interview.

While opening up about her interview technique, she noted the importance of listening carefully. It prompted her to suggest that there were "certain points" in the interview where she heard something "interesting" or she wasn't "expecting".

She said: "But you are listening, and there were certain points in the interview where I thought, 'Ooh, that's interesting. Oh, gosh, I wasn't expecting that'. You know, just little phrases that were used, which told a whole story in themselves."

When asked to give an example, she continued: "Like when he said he'd been 'too honourable'. Right, that's one of the phrases he used. I said, 'Why didn't you tell Epstein after he was convicted of paedophillia that you couldn't maintain a friendship with him?'

"And he said, 'I went to his house, maybe that was wrong, but I... maybe I was too honourable', and I just thought, 'Ooh, that's going to strike a really weird note. I'm not sure that's gonna sound how he wants it to sound'."

Andrew, who no longer uses his HRH title, later reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her, and brought a civil case against him.

The settlement was not an admission of guilt and he accepted no liability. He has vehemently denied any wrongdoing in the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.

Andrew has been embroiled in other highly publicised scandals in recent years, including his links to an investigation into an alleged Chinese spy known as 'H6'.

Later confirmed to be businessman Yang Tengbo, Tengbo requested that his anonymity be lifted and claimed that the spy claim was "entirely untrue".

Meanwhile, Andrew said he "ceased all contact" with him following advice from the Government.

In addition, the Duke was also reportedly involved in another matter involving the tenancy of his Royal Lodge.

Andrew reportedly was unable to maintain the £30million property's upkeep costs of £400,000 per year. He was subsequently believed to be involved in a dispute over the tenancy with his brother, King Charles.

Despite this, reports emerged that Andrew had financial backing from an anonymous source to stay in Royal Lodge, which he shares with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.

Speaking previously about the saga on The Royal Beat, Kate Mansey, the royal editor of The Times, claimed that Andrew had "assured" the Keeper of the Privy Purse, Sir Michael Stevens, that he had obtained the "funds through legitimate means".