ACCUSERS of predatory socialite Ghislaine Maxwell have said that “others must be held accountable” after she was convicted of sex-trafficking young girls for Jeffrey Epstein to abuse.

Virginia Roberts, also known as Virginia Giuffre, stressed that she had “lived with the horrors of Maxwell’s abuse” and commended the four women who testified against the 60-year-old in a New York court.

Ms Maxwell, who was labelled “dangerous” by the prosecution during her three-week trial, was found guilty yesterday of five out of six charges, which included luring young girls to massage rooms for Mr Epstein to molest.

The disgraced financier, 66, was found dead in his cell in a Manhattan federal jail in August 2019 while awaiting trial on sex-trafficking charges. The death was ruled a suicide.

Ms Roberts, who alleges that she was forced to have sex with Prince Andrew five times, including once on Mr Epstein’s private island, said that she had “faith” that others would now face justice.

The Duke of York, who was introduced to Mr Epstein by Ms Maxwell in the early 1990s, has categorically denied that he had any form of sexual contact with Ms Roberts.

In a series of tweets, Ms Roberts wrote: “My soul yearned for justice for years and today the jury gave me just that. I will remember this day always.

“My heart goes out to the many other girls and young women who suffered at her hands and whose lives she destroyed.

“I hope that today is not the end but rather another step in justice being served.

“Maxwell did not act alone. Others must be held accountable.”

Ms Roberts’s claims against Ms Maxwell did not form part of the prosecution’s case but were raised during the trial.

Maria Farmer, the sister of Annie Farmer, who was the only victim to testify under her full name, said that both of them were “sobbing with joy” at the outcome.

In a tweet, she wrote: “We are proud of one another. I have spent every moment for seven years working towards this verdict.”

Another accuser, Teresa Helm, told the BBC: “Justice takes the lead today. I am consumed with gratitude for every brave, courageous and justice-driven person that has fought for this outcome.

“Ghislaine Maxwell will never again have the opportunity to take anything from anyone. She will reside on the other side of freedom.

“Us survivors, we go free.”

In a statement on Twitter, Ms Maxwell’s family said that they were disappointed by the verdict and had already begun the appeal process.

Meanwhile, the BBC admitted today that the inclusion of Mr Epstein’s former lawyer Alan Dershowitz in coverage of the verdict had not been “suitable.”

Last night, a BBC News Channel interview with the 83-year-old, who has also been accused of sexual crimes by Ms Roberts, introduced him as a “constitutional lawyer” but made no reference to his links to those involved in the case.

Mr Dershowitz, who has vehemently denied the allegations, used the airtime to denigrate the claims against himself and Prince Andrew.

In a statement, the BBC said that the interview had not met the broadcaster’s editorial standards as the interviewee was not an “impartial analyst” and that “we did not make the relevant background clear to our audience.”

The corporation pledged to “look into how this happened.”

Labour MP Nadia Whittome tweeted: “Alan Dershowitz, who was accused of the same crimes as Prince Andrew, is on the BBC trying to silence victims following Ghislaine Maxwell’s conviction. 

“I can’t believe this needs to be said, but the BBC should not give a platform to people accused of child sexual abuse.”