London police look into reports Prince Andrew sought information on accuser

LONDON — Britain’s Metropolitan Police are “actively looking into” reports that Prince Andrew tried to obtain personal information about his accuser Virginia Giuffre, a spokesperson for the force told NBC News on Sunday.

Giuffre, who died by suicide in April at the age of 41, had alleged that disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein trafficked her to his powerful friends, including Andrew, against whom she filed a lawsuit in 2021 alleging that he sexually abused her when she was 17.

British newspaper the Mail on Sunday reported that Andrew asked his police protection officer to investigate Giuffre before a photo was published in February 2011, showing Andrew with his arm around Giuffre. The newspaper cited an email reportedly containing a request from Andrew, not seen by NBC News.

Britain’s Sunday Telegraph also claimed that Andrew “sought to dig up dirt” on Giuffre.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said the force is “actively looking into the claims made.”

Prince Andrew has repeatedly denied that the photo of him with Giuffre is real, and denies any wrongdoing connected with Epstein. He has not commented on the newspaper reports and did not immediately respond to an NBC News comment request.

A flow of stories about Prince Andrew’s association with Epstein has dogged King Charles III’s younger brother for six years, with the scandal becoming one of the most damaging in recent British royal history.

The reports came two days after Andrew announced he would stop using his royal titles, including the Duke of York, after facing fresh questions over his friendship with Epstein.

The decision was taken “in discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family,” he said, after concluding that “the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.

“As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me,” Andrew said.

His former wife, Sarah Ferguson, will no longer be known as the Duchess of York.

Andrew stepped back from active royal duties in 2019 as controversy around his association with Epstein swirled. He agreed a settlement with Giuffre for an undisclosed amount in 2022 with no admission of wrongdoing.