The Duke of York is named in secret documents detailing explosive new allegations against Jeffrey Epstein, the Telegraph has learnt.

Prince Andrew is facing the prospect of further damaging claims about his friendship with paedophile billionaire in the coming weeks, it is understood.

A US judge will decide before the end of the year whether to unseal more than 3,000 pages of new evidence about Epstein’s alleged crimes. The documents include depositions from 29 people, including a number of new witnesses and Epstein himself.

Hundreds of people named in the new documents will be formally notified before the end of the year to give them a chance to respond to the allegations. The Duke’s name appears in the evidence along with a number of prominent politicians and businessmen, it is understood.