The Met Police will not investigate the ex-prince over an alleged smear campaign against his accuser, citing no evidence of criminal acts
LONDON: The Metropolitan Police has decided not to launch a criminal investigation into allegations against the former Prince Andrew.
The force assessed a claim that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked a taxpayer-funded bodyguard to investigate his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, in 2011.
Senior Met officer Ella Marriott said the assessment revealed no evidence of criminal acts or misconduct.
“The force will be taking no further action,” Marriott stated.
The allegation appeared in Giuffre’s posthumous memoir published in October.
It claimed the request was part of a smear campaign against her.
Giuffre’s family said they were deeply disappointed by the police decision.
“We are deeply disappointed that the Metropolitan Police have dropped their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor without explanation and without speaking with us, Virginia’s family,” they said in a statement.
The family added they continue to challenge systems that protect abusers.
Mountbatten-Windsor could still face other allegations linked to unsealed US court documents.
Marriott said the Met would assess any new and relevant information from the US material.
King Charles III stripped his brother of his royal titles in October over his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The move was Andrew’s latest humiliation in the long-running scandal.
Giuffre’s memoir detailed allegations she was trafficked to have sex with Andrew three times.
She alleged two of those encounters occurred when she was 17 years old.
Giuffre, a US and Australian citizen, died by suicide in April at the age of 41. – AFP
