The Metropolitan Police Service announced on Dec. 13 that it will take no further action after assessing reports that Prince Andrew asked a Met close protection officer to look into Virginia Giuffre. The MPS said its fresh assessment found no new evidence of criminal conduct or misconduct to warrant reopening the matter. Leaked emails reportedly showed Andrew provided Giuffre's Social Security number and date of birth in 2011, but there is no indication the officer acted on the request. Giuffre, who filed a 2021 lawsuit accusing Jeffrey Epstein of trafficking her and alleging sexual encounters with Andrew when she was 17, died by suicide in April at age 41.
Met Police Say No Further Action After Claims Prince Andrew Asked Protection Officer To Probe Virginia Giuffre
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty;Bloomberg via Getty ImagesVirgina Giuffre; Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew)
Metropolitan Police Conclude Review, Will Not Reopen Inquiry
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) announced on Dec. 13 that it will take no further action after a fresh assessment of reporting alleging that Prince Andrew (Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor) asked a Met close protection officer to investigate his accuser, Virginia Giuffre.
MediaPunch Inc/Alamy Stock PhotoFrom left: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew), Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell
MPS Assessment and Official Statement
Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott said the MPS carried out a further assessment following media reports and that it "has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct." Marriott added that investigators have not received new information that would justify reopening the matter, and therefore the force will take no further action.
“In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action,” said Commander Ella Marriott in the MPS statement.
What Was Reported
Reports in outlets including the BBC, The Telegraph and The Guardian said leaked emails allegedly show Prince Andrew, now 65, provided Ms. Giuffre’s Social Security number and date of birth to a taxpayer-funded close protection officer in 2011 and asked the officer to carry out checks. The published reports say there is no evidence the officer complied with the request.
Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via GettyVirginia Giuffre
Background
Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at age 41, brought a sexual-assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew in 2021, alleging she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and forced to have sex with Andrew on multiple occasions when she was 17. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The disclosures came amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s ties to Epstein, who died in U.S. custody in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal charges.
Buckingham Palace was contacted for comment on Dec. 13 but did not immediately respond to requests.
Reaction and Context
U.K. Energy Secretary Ed Miliband described the leaked emails as "deeply concerning" and called for investigation, saying any misuse of police close protection resources would be unacceptable.
Support Resources
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text STRENGTH to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to reach a certified crisis counselor. For mental-health or emotional-crisis support, call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org, available 24/7.
