Andrew's Biggest Threat May Come From His Own Bodyguards Amid Epstein Probe: Report
Former Prince Andrew's long-running legal troubles may be entering a new phase, and this time, the spotlight is not on the former Duke himself!
Trigger Warning: This article contains themes of sexual abuse that some readers may find distressing.
Former Prince Andrew's long-running legal troubles may be entering a new phase, and this time, the spotlight is not on the former Duke himself, but on the men who were by his side for years. As police continue investigating the royal, reports suggest officers are now interested in speaking to his former Personal Protection Officers (PPOs), who accompanied him on several high-profile trips, including visits linked to convicted offender Jeffrey Epstein.
According to The Times, investigators believe these former royal bodyguards could provide crucial information about Andrew's movements and what they witnessed during their years protecting him. While Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, the officers' accounts could become an important part of the ongoing investigation. The former Duke of York was arrested earlier this year on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with police also reportedly considering other potential offences, including sexual misconduct and corruption.
One reason investigators are now focusing on the former PPOs is that they travelled almost everywhere with Andrew. Reports show they stayed at Epstein's New York mansion in 2010, after the financier had already been convicted as a sex offender. During that visit, they were reportedly given security codes to the property and were even tasked with providing security during a dinner party. The officers were also reportedly involved in a security 'recce' of Epstein's private Caribbean island before Andrew visited in 2001. Flight records show that Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, Virginia Giuffre, and a young female masseuse were also on the island during that period.
For the unversed, Giuffre alleged that Andrew sexually abused her on three occasions in 2001, including on the island. Andrew has consistently and strongly denied those allegations. According to previous reports, one PPO later said he did not see Giuffre during the trip but admitted he felt that "something wasn't quite right" on the island. The officer also reportedly kept a daily diary throughout the visit, something investigators may now find particularly valuable.
Former senior Metropolitan Police protection officer Paul Page has also raised concerns about the close relationship between some protection officers and the royals they guarded. He said, "The big question for me is what Andrew's protection team witnessed on Epstein Island." Page continued, "I'm not suggesting they definitely witnessed any criminality from Andrew, but there was concern that certain members of the royal protection team wilfully turned a blind eye to what was happening on the island."
He also claimed, "There were real concerns that … the royalty protection team became too close to their principals." The former officer further alleged that some officers feared speaking up because it could cost them their positions within the specialist unit owing to Andrew's royal status.
If you are being subjected to sexual assault, or know of anyone who is, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673)
