Disgraced Prince Andrew 'told Met Police bodyguard to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre'

Prince Andrew allegedly asked a Met Police provided bodyguard to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre in an alleged bid to smear his former accuser. The late Queen's second son also allegedly involved one of his mother's senior aides in the alleged attempt.

Andrew relinquished his Duke of York title and remaining honours on Friday (October 17) in an attempt by King Charles to bring an end to the long-running scandal. But a posthumously published book by Ms Giuffre has focused more attention on her sexual assault allegations and the prince's friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The Mail on Sunday reported on Saturday (October 18) that it obtained an email which allegedly exposes how Andrew asked his bodyguard to investigate Ms Giuffre. The same publication reported that Andrew allegedly passed the guard Ms Giuffre's date of birth and social security number.

Andrew is also reported to have told the late Queen's deputy press secretary, Ed Perkins, he had asked a personal protection officer to find information about Ms Giuffre.

In an email to Mr Perkins, Andrew is reported to have said: "It would also seem she has a criminal record in the [United] States".

He is alleged to have added: "I have given her DoB [date of birth] and social security number for investigation with XXX, the on duty ppo [personal protection officer]".

The Mail reported that there is no suggestion that the officer complied with Andrew's alleged request. Ms Giuffre's family told the publication she did not have a criminal record.

Prince Andrew has been approached for comment. A Met Police spokeperson said: "We are aware of media reporting and are looking into the claims made."

Andrew paid millions to settle a US civil sexual assault case with Ms Giuffre in 2022, despite insisting he had never met her. He has always strenuously denied her allegations, and the settlement was not an admission of liability.

Ms Giuffre had alleged that she was forced to have sex with the prince on three occasions, including when she was 17, after being trafficked by Epstein.

Elizabeth II was celebrating her platinum jubilee in 2022 as the US civil case against her son gathered pace. It was settled just nine days after she reached the 70th anniversary of her accession.

Ms Giuffre, who died by suicide aged 41 in April, revealed in her book: "I agreed to a one-year gag order, which seemed important to the prince because it ensured that his mother's platinum jubilee would not be tarnished any more than it already had been".

In January 2022, a US judge ruled the civil case against Andrew could go ahead, and the Queen went on to strip him of his honorary military roles. The prince also gave up his HRH style.

Andrew, who remains a prince and continues to live in Royal Lodge, said in a statement on Friday that the "continued accusations" about him "distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family".

He insisted he was putting his "family and country first" and would stop using his title or the honours which had been conferred upon him.