'Andrew tried to get Met to dig up dirt on accuser'

PRINCE Andrew tried to get the Metropolitan Police to dig up dirt for a smear campaign against his sexual-assault accuser Virginia Giuffre, according to reports.

- BEN MITCHELL and LAURA ELSTON

The force said it was looking into the allegations after 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 investigate.

Meanwhile, the UK Government will be “guided” by the Royal Family on any decision to formally strip Prince Andrew of his titles, as the Prince of Wales reportedly intends to take a more ruthless approach to his disgraced uncle and ban him from his future coronation.

Heir to the throne William was consulted on the decision that led to Andrew relinquishing his dukedom on Friday, but The Sunday Times said William “knows the ‘Andrew problem’ will be in his in-tray at some point”.

The newspaper claimed future king William will be “more ruthless” and is “not satisfied with the outcome”.