Virginia Giuffre's family 'deeply disappointed' by Met's decision not to investigate claims against Andrew

Ms Giuffre's family said: "We are deeply disappointed that the Metropolitan Police have dropped their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor without explanation and without speaking with us, Virginia's family.

"We emailed with a detective from the Metropolitan Police yesterday, Friday, December 12, who gave us no indication that this announcement was imminent."

The family's statement continued: "Indeed, he asked us if we had any evidence we would like to present; we had not yet replied.

"With the Epstein files about to be released by Congress since the passage of the Epstein Transparency Act, we are surprised that the Metropolitan Police didn't wait to see what further evidence might appear.

"While we have hailed the UK's overall handling of the case of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor previously, today we feel justice has not been served.

"We continue to challenge the system that protects abusers, especially as more evidence comes to light that can hold people accountable. Our sister Virginia and all survivors are owed this much."

Ms Giuffre and Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement worth £12million in February 2022 to dismiss her US civil lawsuit over allegations of sexual assault.

The payment came without any admission of liability from Andrew, who has persistently rejected all allegations against him.

The family's statement comes after Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott made the announcement yesterday.

The Mail on Sunday claimed Andrew passed Ms Giuffre's date of birth and social security number to his taxpayer-funded bodyguard in 2011 and asked him to dig up dirt for a smear campaign against his accuser.

Central Specialist Crime Commander Ella Marriott said the force would not launch an investigation after assessing the claims.

The commander broke down the timeline of the allegations, explaining how the force reached its conclusion on each one.

With the recent reports suggesting the former prince asked his "Met Police close protection officer to carry out checks on Ms Giuffre in 2011", the force carried out a "further assessment".

Commander Marriott confirmed the "assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct".

Her full statement read: "Our thoughts will always be with Ms Giuffre's family and friends following her death. In 2015, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) received allegations relating to non-recent trafficking for sexual exploitation involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

"These allegations primarily concerned events outside the United Kingdom, with one allegation of trafficking to central London in March 2001.

"Officers assessed all available evidence at the time, interviewed the complainant, Ms Virginia Giuffre, as well as contacting several other potential victims. This did not result in any allegation of criminal conduct against any UK-based nationals. The MPS sought advice from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and liaised with United States authorities, who were leading investigations into related matters involving US nationals.

"Following this legal advice, it was clear that any investigation into human trafficking would be largely focused on activities outside the UK and perpetrators based overseas. Officers therefore concluded, in consultation with the CPS, that other international authorities were best placed to progress these allegations.

"Officers maintained close liaison with the United States and other relevant authorities throughout their investigation to ensure any UK matters could be identified and to consider any support requested. A decision was made in November 2016 not to proceed to a full criminal investigation. That decision was reviewed in August 2019 and again in 2021 and 2022; in each instance, the position remained unchanged, and Ms Giuffre and her legal representative were informed.

"Following recent reporting suggesting that Mr Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his Met Police close protection officer to carry out checks on Ms Giuffre in 2011, the MPS has carried out a further assessment. This assessment has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct.

"The Met remains committed to thoroughly assessing any new information that could assist in this matter. To date, we have not received any additional evidence that would support reopening the investigation.

"In the absence of any further information, we will be taking no further action. As with any other matter, should new and relevant information be brought to our attention, including in any information resulting from the release of material in the US, we will assess it."

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