Met Police actively investigates claims against Prince Andrew
(MENAFN) The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Sunday that they are "actively" investigating media reports suggesting that Prince Andrew attempted to gather personal details about his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, using his police protection team.
"We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made," the force said.
Ms Giuffre, who tragically took her own life earlier this year, had previously stated that she was among the young women sexually abused by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his affluent network.
Prince Andrew has not publicly responded to the latest reports but continues to deny all allegations against him. Buckingham Palace has also been approached for comment.
According to reports, Ms Giuffre alleged that she was forced to engage in sexual activity with Andrew on three occasions, including when she was 17, at the London home of his associate Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking linked to Epstein.
As stated by reports, Andrew reportedly asked his police protection officer to investigate Ms Giuffre shortly before a newspaper published a photograph of her first meeting with him in February 2011. The reports claim that he provided the officer with her date of birth and sensitive social security information. Other accounts also suggest that Andrew "sought to dig up dirt" on Ms Giuffre.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the allegations as "deeply concerning" and added, "it's absolutely not the way that close protection officers should be used," if the claims are accurate.
On Friday, Andrew announced that he would voluntarily relinquish his remaining titles and resign from the Order of the Garter, the oldest and most senior order of chivalry in Britain. He will also cease using the Duke of York title, which he inherited from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.
The prince had already stepped back from public duties, lost the use of his HRH title, and no longer participated in official royal events, meaning his role within the royal family will now be even further reduced.
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