Prince Andrew Under Pressure to Face Investigation Over Alleged Request to Dig Up Dirt on Virginia Giuffre

Prince Andrew is facing intense scrutiny after a leaked email revealed he asked a police bodyguard to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein's abuse. The Queen's former head of royalty protection, Dai Davies, has urged the Metropolitan Police to question Andrew under caution if there is evidence that he abetted a police officer to commit a criminal offence of misconduct in public office. The Met's internal inquiry into the claims has been launched, but it may take weeks for officers to trawl through emails and police logs from 14 years ago to determine if Andrew's request was carried out.

Key Takeaways:

• Prince Andrew allegedly asked a police bodyguard to investigate Jeffrey Epstein's abuse victim, Virginia Giuffre, by passing on her date of birth and confidential social security number.
• The email, dated 2011, was directed to Ed Perkins, Queen Elizabeth's deputy press secretary, and requested that one of the Met's elite SO14 Royalty Protection Group dig up damaging information on Giuffre.
• Andrew's request may constitute a criminal offence of misconduct in public office, and the Metropolitan Police have launched an internal inquiry into the claims.
• Former head of royalty protection Dai Davies has urged the Met to question Andrew under caution if there is evidence that he abetted a police officer to commit a criminal offence.
• Andrew's principal protection officer, who received the email, has not been named, and it is unclear if they complied with the prince's request.
• Virginia Giuffre's family has denied that she had a criminal record, contradicting the prince's claims.
• The email cache, currently with the US Congress, also reveals that Andrew acknowledged he might have met Giuffre and that a damning photograph could exist, despite claiming he had no memory of meeting her.

Statistics:

• 2011: The year in which Prince Andrew allegedly sent the email to Ed Perkins requesting that a police bodyguard investigate Virginia Giuffre.
• 14 years: The amount of time it may take for the Metropolitan Police to trawl through emails and police logs to determine if Andrew's request was carried out.
• 1: The number of police bodyguard allegedly asked by Prince Andrew to investigate Giuffre.
• 1: The number of conflicting claims made by Andrew regarding his knowledge of a potentially damning photograph of him with Giuffre.

Sources:

• "Andrew 'asked police bodyguard to dig up dirt on Virginia Giuffre', email cache reveals" - The Mail on Sunday.
• "Senior Labour MP Ed Miliband says Prince Andrew allegations are 'deeply concerning'" - Sky News.
• "Barrister Charlotte Proudman brands Prince Andrew's actions 'utterly despicable and reprehensible'" - Sky News.
• "Broadcaster Emily Maitlis says she is 'glad' police are probing Prince Andrew claims" - Sky News.