Prince Andrew ‘faces private prosecution’ over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office
Prince Andrew is facing a private prosecution over allegations of sexual assault, corruption and misconduct in public office in the wake of the Virginia Giuffre scandal.
Campaign group Republic says it has instructed lawyers to investigate the Duke of York and, if appropriate, press ahead with legal proceedings.
Andrew is alleged to have sexually assaulted Virginia Giuffre when she was aged 17, and more recently was alleged in 2011 to have pressured one of his royal protection officers to investigate Giuffre, believing she had a criminal record.
A bombshell email published by the Mail on Sunday earlier this month revealed how Andrew asked his taxpayer-funded protection officer to dig into her past.
In an extraordinary message to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth’s deputy press secretary, he wrote: ‘It would also seem she has a criminal record in the States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].’
The Duke of York has previously denied all allegations.
Republic has branded the legal and political response to the allegations surrounding the Duke as ‘weak and inadequate’ to date.
It says it is investigating the potential of a private prosecution as it has made a ‘powerful, principled argument for justice to be done for the victims of sexual abuse, and for those who corrupt public office to be held accountable’.
Prince Andrew (pictured at the end of September driving out of his home at Royal Lodge at Windsor) could be privately prosecuted over allegations of sexual assault
Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, said: ‘If not us, then who?
‘It’s a devastating indictment on the UK’s criminal justice system, police and politicians – not to mention the king and heir – that we must resort to a private prosecution.’
‘It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe – rightly in my view – that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.
‘I firmly believe there is strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation. The authorities and politicians appear to want to look the other way, while minimising the accusations made against Andrew.
‘The truth must prevail and justice must be seen to be done.’
He later added to Sky News: ‘There is plenty of evidence to have grounds for suspicion that need to be properly investigated. The police have said they have looked into it which is not the same as a criminal investigation.
‘What we’re trying to do is ensure it is properly investigated by instructing a team of specialist lawyers and if there is sufficient evidence to pursue it in court we will pursue a private prosecution.’
Mr Smith added: ‘In terms of sexual offences (the Met) has investigated and successfully prosecuted offences going back to the 1970s. Andrew’s alleged offences were 25 years ago and he had police guarding him and protecting him at the time.
‘There are credible allegations of misconduct in public office and more recently allegations of trying to corrupt a police officer by pressuring him to besmirch the name of Virginia Giuffre.
‘The bar for proving criminal guilt is high but we don’t believe the response so far has been appropriate from the police or the politicians.’
The Metropolitan Police said in January 2024 that it would not mount an investigation into allegations against the Duke of York, but would assess ‘new and relevant’ information as and when it came to light.
However, it said earlier this month it was ‘actively’ looking into the claims Andrew had asked his personal protection officer to investigate Ms Giuffre, and the Mail on Sunday understands he was interviewed by detectives at home last week.
A member of Republic is thought to have been the man seen heckling King Charles during a visit to Lichfield Cathedral earlier this week.
The man shouted at the King, who is Andrew’s brother: ‘How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein? Have you asked the police to cover up for Andrew?’
He was told to ‘shut up’ by another member of the crowd, but went on to ask: ‘Should MPs be allowed to debate the royals in the House of Commons?’
The group later said it ‘fully support(ed) the heckling of Charles’ but did not appear to take responsibility for the outburst.
This is a breaking news story – more to follow.
