Melania Trump’s surprise speech denying ties to Jeffrey Epstein was a “risky” and "unprecedented" move, an expert has said. The First Lady told reporters at the White on House on Thursday that any claims linking her to the “disgraceful” late sex offender “need to end today”.

Dr James D. Boys, senior research fellow at University College London’s Centre on US Politics, said the shock statement could reignite focus on the Epstein scandal after her husband Donald Trump and his administration had seemingly finally moved past the controversy. Speaking to the Express, he said: “It’s a risky move, there’s no doubt about it, I think, because you’re suddenly bringing a lot of attention to the subject.”

Mr Trump has since insisted he did not “know anything about” his wife’s statement in advance.

Dr Boys, who is publishing a new book ‘US Grand Strategy and the Madman Theory - From Nixon to Trump’, said he would be “surprised” if the President was not made aware.

A spokesperson for Ms Trump said the West Wing was earlier informed she was making a statement, but did not confirm whether it knew what she planned to say.

The topic was not shared when the White House put her address on its daily schedule.

Ms Trump’s extraordinary speech in the Grand Foyer of the White House lasted around five minutes.

“The lies linking me with the disgraceful Jeffrey Epstein need to end today,” she said at the start of the address.

“The individuals lying about me are devoid of ethical standards, humility, and respect. I do not object to their ignorance, but rather, I reject their mean-spirited attempts to defame my reputation.”

She said she never had a relationship with Epstein or the financier’s jailed associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

She also said she had no knowledge of Epstein’s crimes.

The First Lady did not go into detail on the accusations against her, but said they came from “individuals and entities looking to cause damage to my good name”, adding they were politically and financially motivated.

It is not exactly clear what prompted the address.

Ms Trump noted that several individuals and organisations have had to apologise for their “lies about me”.

She cited one example as book publisher HarperCollins UK which apologised to the First Lady and retracted passages from a book suggesting Epstein played a role in introducing her and Mr Trump.

In the speech, she said this was not the case and she met her future husband at a party in New York City in 1998.

Dr Boys said the speech was “classic Trump”, saying: “You do not wait to get punched, you punch first. You move very quickly to try and downplay any damning stories.”

He said the televised address defending herself was likely an “unprecedented” step by a US First Lady.

He added: “That is an indication perhaps of the times we are in and the circumstances this administration finds itself in, because of the continuing outpouring of issues with regard to the Epstein scandal which has deviled this administration since it came to office and frankly really must wish it could put in the rearview mirror.

“The idea this has now drawn the First Lady in, really is, I think, an example of the extent to which this is influencing and overshadowing everything this administration is attempting to achieve.”

The First Lady also called for Congress to hold public hearings for victims of Epstein’s crimes.