October 19, 2025 | London, United Kingdom
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed they are reviewing new claims that Prince Andrew, Duke of York, may have sought personal information about his accuser, raising fresh scrutiny over his past conduct and associations connected to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
According to reports first published by British media outlets, the allegations suggest that the Duke attempted to obtain confidential details about his accuser, Virginia Giuffre, through intermediaries after her accusations became public.
A spokesperson for the Met Police said on Sunday that the force was “assessing information recently brought to its attention” and would determine whether a formal investigation is warranted.
The Metropolitan Police Service is aware of information that has been shared with us regarding the Duke of York,” the spokesperson said. “Officers are carrying out an initial assessment to determine the relevance and credibility of the material.
Background to the Case
Prince Andrew has been at the center of a long-running controversy linked to his friendship with the late Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender whose global network of connections has drawn scrutiny for years.
Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers, has alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the Duke when she was a teenager — claims that Andrew has vehemently denied.
In 2022, the case was settled out of court in the United States after a civil lawsuit was filed by Giuffre. The settlement, reported to be worth several million dollars, did not include any admission of guilt or liability from Prince Andrew.
The Duke subsequently withdrew from public royal duties, losing his honorary military titles and patronages. Despite his retreat from public life, the issue continues to cast a shadow over the royal family and has resurfaced with these new claims.
New Allegations Surface
The latest claims reportedly stem from private correspondence and witness accounts suggesting that the Duke, or individuals acting on his behalf, attempted to gather personal information about Ms. Giuffre following the public release of her allegations.
According to investigative sources quoted in The Sunday Times, these efforts may have involved contacts in intelligence or private security circles.
There are suggestions that Prince Andrew was keen to understand what Giuffre’s next moves might be,” said one anonymous source cited by the report. “It appears there were attempts to find out details about her location, communications, and potential legal strategies.
Buckingham Palace has declined to comment, maintaining its position that the Duke of York is no longer an active working royal and represents himself in personal matters.
Prince Andrew’s representatives have also denied any wrongdoing, insisting that he has never sought to interfere with any investigation or intimidate anyone connected to the case.
The Duke of York has consistently maintained his innocence and fully respects the legal process,” a spokesperson for the prince said. “Any suggestion that he attempted to obtain private information about Ms. Giuffre is completely untrue.
Metropolitan Police’s Response
The Metropolitan Police have not confirmed whether a formal criminal investigation has been launched but emphasized that preliminary inquiries are ongoing.
This development follows earlier decisions by the Met, in both 2019 and 2021, not to pursue a full investigation into allegations surrounding Epstein’s UK-based activities, citing insufficient evidence under British law.
Legal experts say that while the threshold for investigation remains high, the emergence of new evidence or testimony could lead to renewed scrutiny.
If these new claims indicate attempts at witness intimidation, information tampering, or obstruction, they could fall within criminal parameters,” said Professor Harriet Bell, a legal scholar at King’s College London. “Even in high-profile cases, the principle of equal accountability under the law applies.
The police assessment is expected to take several weeks, after which the force will decide whether to open a formal inquiry.
Public and Media Reaction
The revelation has reignited public debate over the Duke’s past behavior and his ties to Epstein’s social circle, which included politicians, business leaders, and celebrities.
Critics argue that the monarchy’s handling of the scandal has damaged public trust in royal institutions. Social media has seen a resurgence of commentary calling for greater transparency and accountability regarding Andrew’s conduct and his use of privilege.
The public deserves answers,” said Labour MP Sarah Dines, calling for “full cooperation” between law enforcement and the Royal Household. “No one should be shielded from scrutiny, regardless of their position.
Royal analysts note that the Palace has been careful to distance King Charles III and other senior royals from the controversy, particularly as the monarchy seeks to modernize its image and focus on public service.
King Charles is acutely aware of the reputational damage this issue continues to cause,” said Dr. Michael Turner, a historian specializing in the British monarchy. “The institution is trying to move forward, but every new headline pulls them back into scandal.
Impact on the Royal Family
Prince Andrew’s ongoing troubles have left him largely isolated within the royal family. Despite living on the Royal Lodge estate in Windsor, he has not resumed public duties and rarely appears at major royal events.
Insiders suggest that relations between Andrew and other family members remain strained, though his daughters, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, are said to maintain a supportive relationship with their father.
Recent reports indicate that Andrew has been attempting to rehabilitate his public image through private charity engagements and public appearances, though these efforts have faced significant backlash.
There’s little appetite among the British public for Andrew’s return to royal life,” said Clive Fielding, editor of Royal Insight Magazine. “His reputation has been permanently tarnished, and this latest development makes that recovery even more unlikely.
The renewed police interest could also complicate broader efforts by the royal family to stabilize its public standing following a series of controversies, including tensions with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle and debates over the monarchy’s role in a modern democracy.
International Implications
The investigation’s potential expansion into the United States — where much of the Epstein-related evidence originates — adds a cross-border legal dimension to the case. Cooperation between UK and U.S. authorities could be necessary if material evidence or witness testimony is located abroad.
American prosecutors have previously indicated that Prince Andrew remains a “person of interest” in certain aspects of their Epstein inquiries, though he has not been formally charged with any crime.
If U.S. investigators or British police uncover communication records or evidence of interference, it could escalate rapidly,” said John Wallace, a transatlantic law expert. “Given the political and diplomatic sensitivities, this will be handled with extreme caution.
For now, the Metropolitan Police have emphasized that their actions are preliminary and that no assumptions should be made about the outcome.
We are in the early stages of assessing this information,” the Met’s statement reiterated. “Further updates will be provided only if there is a change in status.
