It's not the first seismic statement I've had to deal with from the Royal Family late into the evening.

But what I have learnt from past experience is that when they do come in this way, it's because the decision has been made to act now and act fast.

Which inevitably has us all wondering, why now?

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player 2:35

Prince Andrew: 'Too much of a distraction'

The latest stories about Prince Andrew and his email to Jeffrey Epstein were again a sign of just how close he'd been to the convicted paedophile, and an extract released from the late Virginia Giuffre's book was heartbreaking and excruciatingly seedy.

And yes, the full book is released on Tuesday.

But in some ways, we have heard a lot of these lurid details before, alb

See Full Page