London: British police say they have found no evidence that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked one of his bodyguards to investigate Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.
London’s Metropolitan Police in October said it was looking into media reports that the former Prince Andrew in 2011 sought information to smear Giuffre by asking a police bodyguard to find out if she had a criminal record. The Mail on Sunday newspaper claimed the then-prince passed Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard.
In a statement on Saturday, the force said its assessment “has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct” and it would not open a criminal investigation.
Prince Andrew with Virginia Roberts Giuffre (centre) in 2001 and Jeffrey Epstein’s then personal assistant Ghislaine Maxwell.
“The Met remains committed to thoroughly assessing any new information that could assist in this matter,” said police Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott. “To date, we have not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation. In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action.
“Our thoughts will always be with Ms Giuffre’s family and friends following her death,” Marriott said.
Giuffre’s family said they were “deeply disappointed” by the decision, adding that “justice has not been served”.
Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, alleged that in the early 2000s, when she was a teenager, she was caught up in Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring and exploited by Andrew and other influential men.
King Charles III formally stripped his younger brother of his royal title last month after new details emerged of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein, and Giuffre’s posthumous memoir refocused attention on her allegations.
Mountbatten-Windsor reached an out-of-court settlement with Giuffre in 2022 after she filed a civil suit against him in New York. While he did not admit wrongdoing, he did acknowledge Giuffre’s suffering as a victim of sex trafficking.
AP
Lifeline 13 11 14; Beyond Blue 1800 512 348; Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800; National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on what’s making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
Most Viewed in World
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
