The family of Virginia Giuffre has expressed “deep disappointment” that the Metropolitan Police will not launch a criminal investigation into Prince Andrew over allegations of sexual abuse. The decision was announced just before the release of Epstein files by the US Congress.
Giuffre alleged in a 2021 US lawsuit that Andrew had sex with her after she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein to a home in Belgravia, London, in 2001 when she was 17. Andrew has consistently denied the claims and settled the lawsuit in 2022 without admitting liability.
The Met said on Saturday that no formal criminal investigation would be opened, including into claims that Andrew asked his police protection officer to investigate Giuffre in 2011. Commander Ella Marriott stated the force had reviewed the case multiple times since 2016 and concluded that other international authorities were best placed to handle the allegations.
Giuffre’s family said they were not informed of the announcement and questioned why the Met did not wait for the Epstein files to be released. They stated: “We continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light.”
