Prince Andrew announced Wednesday that he will “step back from public duties for the foreseeable future” because of the continuing controversy over the British royal’s past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew also said he is willing to help law-enforcement investigations of the deceased wealthy investor and of Epstein’s possible co-conspirators in his crimes.

“It has become clear to me over the last few days that the circumstances relating to my former association with Jeffrey Epstein has become a major disruption to my family’s work and the valuable work going on in the many organisations and charities that I am proud to support,” the Duke of York said in a statement.