In a development that continues to rattle the British monarchy, Prince Andrew finds himself at the center of renewed controversy. The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the Duke of York will not face an investigation, despite the release of damning documents linking him to Jeffrey Epstein, the late convicted sex offender. This decision comes as anti-monarchy group Republic reported Prince Andrew to the police following resurfaced allegations of sexual assault connected to Epstein.
The Metropolitan Police, in their statement to GB News, maintained, "As with any matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention we will assess it. No investigation has been launched."
Despite this, the public and groups like Republic are clamoring for action. Graham Smith, CEO of Republic, expressed the need for the police to reopen investigations, stating, "Inaction would exacerbate an already serious issue of victims of male violence being unwilling to report offences to the Metropolitan Police, and would embolden offenders, knowing the police will not take action against powerful individuals."
The unsealed records include evidence from Johanna Sjoberg, who alleged Prince Andrew touched her breast at Epstein's Manhattan apartment in 2001. These documents, part of a 2015 lawsuit filed by Virginia Roberts Giuffre against Ghislaine Maxwell, have reignited public scrutiny of Prince Andrew's actions and his previous denials.
The Duke of York, who stepped down from royal duties in 2019 following his infamous interview with Emily Maitlis on Newsnight, had referred to Epstein's behavior as "unbecoming" and vehemently denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Amidst the uproar, there are calls for King Charles III to publicly address the situation. Graham Smith argues that the King needs to be questioned about any involvement in settling Prince Andrew's sexual assault lawsuit filed by Giuffre in 2021.
Smith emphasized the need for accountability, stating, "[Charles] needs to answer questions about what the palace knew when, and I think he ought to be answering those questions in front of cameras and being accountable for his own role in this scandal."
The financial aspect of Prince Andrew's settlement with Giuffre, reported to be around £12 million ($15 million), has also sparked debate. It's been speculated that Queen Elizabeth II and then-Prince Charles may have contributed to the settlement. With the royal family's finances largely stemming from the British public, there is a growing demand for transparency regarding whether any public funds were used in the settlement.
As the situation unfolds, the public and organizations like Republic are pushing for a no-tolerance approach to any form of preferential treatment for Prince Andrew. The outcry reflects a broader call for justice and accountability, not just for the Duke of York but for all implicated in Epstein's notorious network. With the Metropolitan Police's stance that no investigation is currently underway, the pressure continues to mount for a more definitive response from both law enforcement and the royal family.
