An anti-monarchy campaign group has said it is instructing ‘specialist lawyers’ to see if it is possible to carry out a private prosecution of Prince Andrew.
Republic wants to establish if there are legal grounds to pursue the former Duke of York over allegations of sexual offences, corruption and misconduct in public office.
Claims that Andrew passed sex trafficking victim Virgina Giuffre’s date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 in order to obtain information about her are being looked into by the Metropolitan Police.
The Met has previously said that it is not investigating allegations against the royal in relation to the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and no further action will be taken.
Andrew, 65, has repeatedly and strenuously denied any impropriety in relation to Ms Giuffre.
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However, the group has repeatedly called for investigations to take place into Andrew’s conduct.
Chief executive Graham Smith told Sky: ‘We have said for a long time that there is plenty of evidence at least to have grounds for suspicion that needs to be properly investigated.
‘The police have said they have looked into it, which is not quite the same as a criminal investigation.
‘As far as we’re aware they’ve never interviewed Andrew as a witness or suspect so what we’re trying to do is ensure that it is properly investigated through instructing a team of specialist lawyers and if there is sufficient evidence to pursue it through the court then we will pursue a private prosecution.’
Mr Smith referenced allegations by the author Andrew Lownie in his book about Prince Andrew, which include misconduct in public office, and the separate claim of trying to corrupt a police officer to ‘besmirch the name of Virgina Giuffre.’
‘We don’t believe there’s been a sufficient investigation and we don’t believe there’s a willingness on the part of the authorities to do this,’ he said. ‘Really, this should be done by the police and CPS.’
The prince relinquished his titles on October 17 ahead of the release of Giuffre’s posthumous memoir and amid the ongoing spotlight on his former association with Epstein.
Mr Smith told the broadcaster he was prepared to abide by the lawyers’ findings based on the available evidence.
‘If it all shakes out that Andrew’s done nothing wrong then that would be an interesting result and good luck to Andrew and he can return to being a fully paid up member of the Royal Family,’ he said. ‘But clearly, that is not the view of most people and that is based on quite substantial testimony, other evidence and commentary over the last 15 years.’
The move comes after a campaigner believed to be a member of the group heckled King Charles as the monarch visited Lichfield Cathedral on Monday. The man shouted: ‘How long have you known about Andrew and Epstein?’ A woman turned around and told him to ‘shut up.’
Metro has approached the Duke of York’s representatives for comment.
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