Police look into reports Prince Andrew sought to dig up info on accuser
LONDON — Britain’s Metropolitan Police are “actively investigating” reports that Prince Andrew tried to obtain personal information about his accuser Virginia Giuffre, a police spokesperson told NBC News on Sunday.
Giuffre, who committed suicide in April aged 41, had alleged that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her to his powerful friends, including Andrew, against whom she filed a lawsuit in 2021, alleging he sexually assaulted her when she was 17.
Britain’s Mail on Sunday newspaper reported that Andrew had asked his police protection officer to investigate Giuffre. before a photo was published in February 2011, showing Andrew with his arm around Giuffre. The newspaper cited an email apparently containing a request from Andrew, not seen by NBC News.
Britain’s Sunday Telegraph also claimed that Andrew was “looking to dig up dirt” on Giuffre.
A London Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We are aware of the media reports and are actively investigating the allegations made. »
Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied that the photo of him with Giuffre is real and denies any wrongdoing related to Epstein. He did not comment on the newspaper reports and did not immediately respond to NBC News’ request for comment.
A flood of stories about Prince Andrew’s association with Epstein has dogged King Charles III’s younger brother for six years, with the scandal becoming one of the most damaging in recent British royal history.
The reports came two days after Andrew announced he would stop using his royal titles, including Duke of York, after facing fresh questions over his friendship with Epstein.
The decision was taken “in discussion with the King and my immediate and extended family”, he said in a statement, after concluding that “the continued accusations against me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family”.
“As I have previously stated, I vigorously deny the allegations against me,” Andrew said.
His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will no longer be known as the Duchess of York.
Andrew stepped away from active royal duties in 2019 as controversy surrounding his association with Epstein swirled. He reached a settlement with Giuffre for an undisclosed amount in 2022, without admission of wrongdoing.
