THE Met is “actively looking” into claims Prince Andrew instructed his police bodyguard to dig up dirt on sex accuser Virginia Giuffre.
Bombshell emails allegedly show he gave a royal protection officer her date of birth and confidential social security number — which is similar to the UK’s National Insurance number.
Mr Davies, the former head of Scotland Yard’s Royal Protection Command, said: “The team who were protecting him need to be interviewed, and the truth needs to come out one way or the other.
“Along with the other allegations that he has never really been questioned about properly by the police or anyone else, then this is yet another example why the authorities, for once, should do their job properly.”
Digging up dirt
The emails show Andrew also tried to rope in one of the late Queen’s aides in digging up dirt.
And in them he admits it was “possible” he was photographed with Virginia — despite him saying in his 2019 Newsnight interview: “I categorically don’t remember meeting her at all.”
READ MORE ON PRINCE ANDREW
Last night tragic Virginia’s family said the latest revelations “expose the lengths to which those implicated try to discredit and defame survivors”.
They added: “The truth will surface and there will be no shadows in which they can hide.”
The latest revelations come after The Sun on Sunday revealed Andrew had lied about when he cut ties with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
On Friday the 65-year-old gave up his Duke of York title following “huge pressure” and a phone call from The King.
According to the emails, published by the Mail on Sunday, Andrew wrote to communications chief Ed Perkins on February 26, 2011 — the day before the photo of Andrew with his arm round Virginia was published.
She claimed it showed them on a night they had sex. Andrew told Mr Perkins: “It would seem she has a criminal record in the States.”
“I have given her DoB and social security number for investigation with (redacted) the on duty PPO.”
He also emailed Mr Perkins, the Queen’s deputy press secretary, saying he had conversations with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell about Virginia being a “liar”.
On the day the photo was published, Epstein emailed Andrew saying: “Getting a statement from the judge in another of Virginia’s sex allegations that says she lacks credibility. Should have that this afternoon.”
It is not suggested that the protection officer complied with Andrew’s request — though it was understood it would be “extremely unlikely” they allowed themselves to be used as a private investigation service for Andrew.
Neither was it clear how Andrew came into possession of Virginia’s social security number, or if it was given to him by Epstein or accomplice Maxwell.
Mr Davies said: “Based on the evidence of the email to the Deputy Press Secretary, which appears to be genuine, there is, in my opinion, sufficient evidence for the Met Police or any other force to actually investigate the circumstances.
These outrageous emails are further vindication of Virginia. It underscores her courage and her strength as a truth teller.
Virginia’s family
“Who said what to whom, how did Andrew get her social number in America, how did he get her date of birth, did Epstein or Maxwell or anyone else obtain those for him.
“So there’s a lot of questions to be asked of the circumstances.”
He added of Andrew’s actions: “Asking the officer is totally outside their remit. Their role is to protect the individual or the principal.”
Former Met officer Peter Bleksley said that “as the facts are laid out”, the action could appear to be “conspiracy to commit misconduct in a public office”.
But a source said that it more likely showed Andrew’s “naivety and arrogance” rather than a criminal act.
The Met said: “We are aware of media reporting and are actively looking into the claims made.”
Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
But Virginia’s family insisted: “These outrageous emails are further vindication of Virginia. It underscores her courage and her strength as a truth teller.”
They confirmed she did not have a criminal record and said: “We also request a full investigation as to how Andrew obtained Virginia’s private information.”
This was not the first attempt to discredit Virginia before Andrew finally paid her an estimated £12million out-of-court settlement three years ago.
In February 2021, his spin doctor Mark Gallagher stepped down after he approached social media troll Molly Skye Brown in a bid to spread smears about the photo.
Virginia, 41, took her own life earlier in April.
Her memoir Nobody’s Girl, to be published tomorrow, details her account of being trafficked at the age of 17 to have sex with the Prince.
Another email which appeared to show the pair may have met emerged yesterday. It was sent by Andrew to Epstein in 2011, three months after the Prince claimed he had cut off contact.
He wrote: “Categoric denial of Sexual Relations.
“Possible that I met her in a group with others and possible there is a photograph.”
Other emails showed Andrew was offered a second woman by Epstein, who died in jail in 2019.
With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.
Prince Andrew
In August 2010, Epstein wrote: “I have a friend who I think you might enjoy having dinner with.”
A day later the Prince replied: “Of course. I would be delighted to see her. Will she be bringing a message from you? Please give her my contact details.”
Other emails published yesterday show the prince’s ex-wife Sarah Ferguson asked Epstein to take her to his private island.
Epstein, freed in 2009 after his first conviction, wrote to his lawyer that Fergie was “the first to celebrate my release with her two daughters in tow”.
He added: “She visited me with (a) policeman sitting at my front desk. She has asked for help with her charities.”
In an email to Epstein from 2010, Fergie wrote: “My friend, am I allowed to go visit Little St Jeffs? Or is it unavailable to bankrupts?”
Epstein replied “I’ll meet you there. Call me.”
Fergie previously admitted taking £15,000 from Epstein, but the emails suggest she asked to borrow another “50,000 to 100,000 US dollars” to help with “small bills”.
Spokesmen for Buckingham Palace and Fergie declined to comment last night.
In Andrew’s announcement on Friday, he said: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me.
“As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
PRICE OF EPSTEIN SCANDAL
Exclusive by Matt Wilkinson
PRINCE Andrew has lost more than his dukedom after his office’s royal email was replaced by a Gmail account due to the Epstein scandal.
It is among a string of humiliating implications for the ex-duke after he agreed to be known only as “prince”.
Questions are now being asked about his cars’ personalised number plates, which end “DOY” — for Duke of York.
The licence plates have always been a source of pride for the prince and staff were still using the cars this weekend.
Andrew has also been forced to give back his membership of the prestigious Order of the Garter.
He became a member in 2006 and his banner was installed alongside those of other royals in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
Yesterday his banner remained in place next to Prince William’s and a source said its future is “to be determined”.
The prince’s office stopped using a royal.gov email yesterday and migrated it to Gmail.
However, just like his licence plates, he has kept the letters “DOY” in his email address.
Sarah Ferguson, meanwhile, is still using her X account @SarahtheDuchess despite relinquishing the title Duchess of York.
