Duchess caught in tabloid sting is 'devastated'
Source: Agencies |
May 24, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
BRITAIN'S Duchess of York is said to be "devastated" after she was caught on camera by a newspaper apparently offering to sell access to her ex-husband and UK trade envoy Prince Andrew.
According to footage on the News of the World's Website yesterday, Sarah Ferguson appears to ask for US$40,000 in cash and 500,000 pounds (US$718,500) by wire transfer, claiming she could introduce the undercover reporter to the prince.
"She is devastated by the story and deeply regrets the situation and any embarrassment it has caused," Ferguson's spokeswoman said.
The Sunday tabloid said the prince, second son of Queen Elizabeth and fourth in line to the throne, knew nothing about Ferguson's claims. Buckingham Palace was not available for comment.
In the tape filmed on Tuesday, Ferguson, over wine and a cigarette, makes it clear that her former husband "never does accept a penny for anything."
The sting is nonetheless likely to cause embarrassment for Andrew and the royal family.
"Five hundred thousand pounds when you can, to me ... open doors," she said in the film the newspaper said was shot at a London apartment, before shaking hands with the reporter who had posed as a wealthy businessman.
"Then you open up all the channels whatever you need, whatever you want ... We can do so much."
The 50-year-old prince, also known as the Duke of York, acts as Britain's special representative for international trade and investment, augmenting work by the business ministry.
He and Ferguson, also 50, who have two daughters, divorced in 1996 after a 10-year marriage. She had been one of Andrew's childhood playmates.
According to footage on the News of the World's Website yesterday, Sarah Ferguson appears to ask for US$40,000 in cash and 500,000 pounds (US$718,500) by wire transfer, claiming she could introduce the undercover reporter to the prince.
"She is devastated by the story and deeply regrets the situation and any embarrassment it has caused," Ferguson's spokeswoman said.
The Sunday tabloid said the prince, second son of Queen Elizabeth and fourth in line to the throne, knew nothing about Ferguson's claims. Buckingham Palace was not available for comment.
In the tape filmed on Tuesday, Ferguson, over wine and a cigarette, makes it clear that her former husband "never does accept a penny for anything."
The sting is nonetheless likely to cause embarrassment for Andrew and the royal family.
"Five hundred thousand pounds when you can, to me ... open doors," she said in the film the newspaper said was shot at a London apartment, before shaking hands with the reporter who had posed as a wealthy businessman.
"Then you open up all the channels whatever you need, whatever you want ... We can do so much."
The 50-year-old prince, also known as the Duke of York, acts as Britain's special representative for international trade and investment, augmenting work by the business ministry.
He and Ferguson, also 50, who have two daughters, divorced in 1996 after a 10-year marriage. She had been one of Andrew's childhood playmates.
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