Full Breakdown
Metropolitan Police Declines Investigation into Prince Andrew's Alleged Smear Campaign
12/13/2025, 7:48:58 PM
Overview of the Investigation Decision
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has announced that it will not pursue a criminal investigation into allegations involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, who reportedly asked his taxpayer-funded bodyguard to investigate Virginia Giuffre in 2011. This decision follows a review of claims that Andrew provided Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his bodyguard for the purpose of gathering damaging information against her.
Background on Allegations
The allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stem from a report by The Mail on Sunday, which claimed that he sought to conduct a smear campaign against Giuffre, who accused him of sexual assault. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April 2023, alleged that she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and forced to engage in sexual acts with Andrew when she was 17. The MPS first received allegations related to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2015, which included claims of trafficking to central London.
Police Assessment and Findings
Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott stated that the MPS conducted a thorough assessment of the recent claims but found no additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct. The police had previously reviewed the case multiple times, with decisions made in November 2016, August 2019, and again in 2021 and 2022, all concluding that there was insufficient evidence to warrant a full investigation. Marriott emphasized that the MPS remains open to assessing any new information that may arise, particularly in light of forthcoming releases of material related to Epstein.
Family Response and Criticism
Giuffre's family expressed deep disappointment with the MPS's decision, stating they felt "justice has not been served." They noted that they were in communication with a detective prior to the announcement, who did not indicate that a decision was imminent. The family criticized the police for not waiting for potential new evidence from the upcoming release of Epstein-related documents by Congress, asserting that they continue to challenge systems that protect abusers.
Official Statements
In her statement, Commander Marriott expressed condolences for Giuffre's family and reiterated the MPS's commitment to evaluating any new information. She confirmed that the investigation into the allegations from 2015 did not result in any findings against UK-based nationals and that international authorities were deemed more appropriate for pursuing related matters.
Conclusion
The MPS's decision not to investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor further solidifies the conclusion reached in previous assessments regarding the allegations against him. Despite the closure of this chapter, the Giuffre family remains vocal about their pursuit of accountability and justice for survivors of abuse.
