The Metropolitan Police have again refused to launch a formal investigation into claims that Prince Andrew attempted to smear Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein. The force stated that an assessment of the allegations has "not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct." This decision comes after reviewing claims that the former prince may have tasked a bodyguard to investigate Giuffre in 2011.
The police decision has drawn sharp criticism from Giuffre's family, who expressed deep disappointment. They indicated they were in recent contact with a detective and were not forewarned of the imminent closure of the matter. Giuffre's family also questioned why authorities did not await the release of further material related to the Epstein Transparency Act.
The Metropolitan Police have examined allegations concerning Andrew and Epstein's activities in London on three separate occasions, each time opting not to proceed with an investigation. Despite the lack of criminal prosecution in the UK, the renewed attention on these allegations has had significant repercussions for Prince Andrew's public standing.
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King Charles III formally stripped his brother of his royal title, the Duke of York, in the wake of emerging details of his association with Epstein and Giuffre's posthumously published memoir. Andrew has also reportedly chosen to relinquish his membership in the Order of the Garter. While acknowledging Giuffre's suffering as a victim of sex trafficking, he has maintained his denial of any wrongdoing.
BACKGROUND
The focus on Prince Andrew's alleged involvement stems from his long-standing relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Virginia Giuffre claims she was subjected to sexual abuse by Andrew, including an alleged incident at Epstein's New York home. The latest controversy centers on a claim, reported in The Mail on Sunday, that Andrew attempted to have his personal protection officer investigate Giuffre for a potential smear campaign. Details reportedly shared with the bodyguard included Giuffre's date of birth and social security number.
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The legal landscape for Prince Andrew remains complex, with allegations circulating in both the UK and the US. His public role has been substantially diminished, and he is expected to vacate his official residence at Royal Lodge. The Metropolitan Police's stance emphasizes the threshold of evidential discovery required for criminal proceedings, a standard that public expectation for justice does not always align with.