Fresh Blow for Andrew as Detectives Plan US Trip to Speak With Virginia Giuffre's Family: Report
Andrew faces fresh scrutiny as British investigators plan to interview Virginia Giuffre's family in the US amid the ongoing probe.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has already lost his titles, house, and the support of his family ever since his name was added to Jeffrey Epstein's ongoing scandal. The former Duke of York has been shunned from all fronts of the royal family and now lives an almost isolated life at Marsh Farm, a property on the private Sandringham Estate in Norfolk. But as questions surrounding his past continue to follow him, a fresh controversy is threatening to cast another shadow over the monarchy despite King Charles assuring investigators of full cooperation in his brother's reported misconduct.
According to the latest development reported by The Times, a team of British investigators is set to meet the late Virginia Giuffre's family in the US. The team has made arrangements for an informal interview to gain more knowledge about Andrew's alleged connections and allegations of sexual misconduct. The team has already held talks with Giuffre’s brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts, and confirmed that they would set up a face-to-face meeting “in the coming weeks.” The publication also highlighted that Giuffre’s family was in touch with police.
Meanwhile, Giuffre’s family members "are not considered direct witnesses to the allegations," and everything is expected to be on a more casual level. "Our misconduct in public office investigation is ongoing. We cannot go into specifics of the investigation, but we are following all reasonable lines of inquiry," a Thames Valley Police spokesperson explained to PEOPLE. Giuffre’s family has meanwhile declined to comment.
However, it has to be noted that The Times remains unclear about how the Thames Valley Police obtained permission from American authorities for the informal interview, and that her brother and sister-in-law are planning to hold a meeting with the next British prime minister during their visit to the U.K., which might take place during the second half of this year. Reportedly, British authorities have also allegedly sought permission to "speak with Andrew’s former protection officers."
The Thames Valley Police are investigating the former Duke of York, following his February arrest for suspected misconduct in public office. He has also faced scrutiny since links to Epstein emerged nearly seven years ago, although the ex-royal has denied any wrongdoing.