Andrew will not face police action over bodyguard claim

The Metropolitan Police has said it will "take no further action" over claims Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor asked his police protection officer for information on accuser Virginia Giuffre.

The allegations, first reported in the Mail on Sunday in October, said the then-prince gave the officer Ms Giuffre's date of birth and social security number, just before the paper published a photo of the pair meeting in February 2011.

On Saturday, the Met said a further assessment "has not revealed any additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct".

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has not commented on the reports, but has consistently denied all allegations against him.

A spokesperson for the police force said: "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."

Ms Giuffre, who took her own life earlier this year, said she was among the girls and young women sexually exploited by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his wealthy circle.

Ms Giuffre also claimed that she was forced to have sex with the then-Prince Andrew on three occasions, including when she was 17 at the home of his friend Ghislaine Maxwell in London, in 2001.

Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence on sex-trafficking charges related to Epstein, her former boyfriend.

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