Buckingham Palace is facing renewed pressure to disclose the origins of a controversial £12 million payment made to settle Virginia Giuffre's sexual assault lawsuit against Prince Andrew, as a senior MP demands full financial transparency.
MP Challenges Royal Secrecy
Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, has publicly called upon the Royal Family to break their silence and reveal whether public funds or private money financed the substantial settlement. The demand comes amid growing concerns about financial accountability within the monarchy.
"The public deserves to know where this money came from," Maskell stated emphatically. "Was it from the sovereign grant, private fortunes, or other sources? This lack of transparency is simply unacceptable."
The Controversial Settlement
The multi-million pound settlement was reached in 2022 between Prince Andrew and Virginia Giuffre, who had accused the Duke of York of sexual assault. Prince Andrew has consistently denied all allegations, and the settlement included no admission of liability.
However, the source of the enormous payment has remained shrouded in mystery, with Buckingham Palace repeatedly refusing to comment on financial arrangements.
Growing Demands for Accountability
Maskell's intervention represents the latest in a series of parliamentary challenges to royal financial practices. The York MP has highlighted several critical questions that remain unanswered:
- Whether taxpayer money contributed to the settlement through the sovereign grant
- The exact breakdown between private and public funding sources
- The potential impact on royal estate maintenance budgets
- The precedent set for future royal legal disputes
"When such substantial sums are involved, and given the constitutional role of the monarchy, complete transparency is not just desirable - it's essential," Maskell argued.
Palace Under Scrutiny
The Royal Family's handling of the Giuffre case has drawn criticism from multiple quarters, with transparency campaigners joining politicians in demanding clearer accounting of royal finances. The lack of disclosure has fueled speculation about whether the Queen's private funds or Duchy of Lancaster revenues were tapped for the settlement.
As pressure mounts, all eyes turn to Buckingham Palace to see if they will break their longstanding silence or maintain their position of non-disclosure regarding the controversial payment.
