Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will not face a criminal investigation over claims he asked his taxpayer funded bodyguard to investigate his accuser Virginia Giuffre, police have revealed.
Reports claimed the disgraced royal passed his Metropolitan Police protection officer Ms Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number and asked them to dig up dirt on her in 2011.
The Met has been looking into the reports, which emerged in a series of leaked emails allegedly seen by the Mail on Sunday.
Andrew reportedly wrote in an email to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth’s deputy press secretary: “It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States. I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer].”
Ms Giuffre, who does not have a criminal record and took her own life in April this year, claimed that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times, including once in London, after being trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein. The prince has always vehemently denied the claims.
Following a review, Ella Marriott, the Met’s Central Specialist Crime Commander, has today announced that the royal will face no further action.
However Ms Giuffre’s family said they were “deeply disappointed” and feel “justice has not been served”.
In a statement, the commander confirmed the Met first received allegations of trafficking for sexual exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015.
She said officers interviewed Ms Giuffre and contacted several other potential victims, and “this did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any UK-based nationals”.
“A decision was made in November 2016 not to proceed to a full criminal investigation,” she added.
“That decision was reviewed in August 2019 and again in 2021 and 2022; in each instance, the position remained unchanged, and Ms Giuffre and her legal representative were informed.”
A further review following the latest claims involving the bodyguard did not reveal any evidence of criminal acts and they will be taking no further action, she said.
Commander Marriott added: “Following recent reporting suggesting that Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his Met Police close protection officer to carry out checks on Ms Giuffre in 2011, the MPS has carried out a further assessment. This assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct.
“The Met remains committed to thoroughly assessing any new information that could assist in this matter. 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. As with any other matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention, including in any information resulting from the release of material in the US, we will assess it.”
In statement following the announcement, Ms Giuffre’s family said they were “deeply disappointed” in the decision.
“We emailed with a detective from the Metropolitan Police yesterday, Friday, Dec. 12th, who gave us no indication that this announcement was imminent,” the family added.
“Indeed, he asked us if we had any evidence we would like to present; we had not yet replied. With the Epstein files about to be released by Congress since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, we are surprised that the Metropolitan Police didn’t wait to see what further evidence might appear.
“While we have hailed the UK’s overall handling of the case of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor previously, today we feel justice has not been served.
“We continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light that can hold people accountable. Our sister Virginia, and all survivors, are owed this much.”
This week, Andrew was one of a number of high-profile figures featured in photographs released by the Democrats, revealing Epstein’s links to the rich and powerful.
In October, Andrew, 65, was stripped of all his titles as the Palace attempted to draw a line under a string of scandals over his friendship with the disgraced financier.
Andrew paid millions to Ms Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault claim in 2022, but has always denied any wrongdoing.
The King also served formal notice on his younger brother to vacate the sprawling 30-bedroom Royal Lodge in the grounds of Windsor Great Park.
