Pizza Express Investigates Prince Andrew's Alibi
Pizza Express conducted an internal inquiry into former Prince Andrew's claim that he was at its Woking branch on the night he allegedly slept with Virginia Giuffre. The chain investigated the alibi after Andrew's now-infamous 2019 BBC Newsnight interview, where he stated he couldn't have been with Giuffre on March 10, 2001, as he was at the restaurant.
Andrew denied sleeping with Giuffre, a victim of Jeffrey Epstein's sex trafficking ring, on three occasions in 2001, twice while she was underage. Following his recent arrest, Newsnight revisited the claims made in his 2019 interview, during which he also asserted that he 'didn't sweat'.
Arrest and Epstein Files Release
Andrew was arrested in February on his 66th birthday on suspicion of MiPO (Misconduct in Public Office) and held in custody for 11 hours before being released under investigation. The arrest came shortly after the US Justice Department released a batch of Epstein files, with Andrew again denying any wrongdoing.
Inquiry Details and Findings
The popular pizza chain launched a formal inquiry, believing it was a matter of public interest. The Woking branch examined records from that time, finding none, and spoke to past employees. However, the branch manager from that period had since left and could not be contacted. Pizza Express concluded it could find no evidence that Andrew had been at the restaurant that evening, but also no evidence that he hadn't.
The BBC reported that Newsnight made 'extensive inquiries' but could not find a record of anyone seeing him at the Woking branch on that night in 2001.
Police Response and Royal Protection
In response to a Freedom of Information request asking if any royal protection officers were present, the Metropolitan Police replied: 'Confirming or denying that information is held would reveal whether protection had been afforded to a specific individual other than the King and the prime minister.' Scotland Yard had previously stated that his close protection officers were being asked to 'consider carefully' whether they saw or heard anything relevant to the case.
Diary Leak and Princess Beatrice's Recollection
Six years ago, Andrew's family diary was leaked, showing a home manicure booked for the afternoon before he claimed to drop off his then 12-year-old daughter at the restaurant, according to the Daily Mail. His daughter Princess Beatrice later said she has 'absolutely no recollection' of the birthday party her father claimed to have attended.
Political Criticism
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticised the police's response, telling the BBC: 'Of course the police are rightly very careful about giving any information about who they give special protection to. I completely understand that and it's right. But too often we see these types of “neither confirm nor deny” answers where there really isn’t a legitimate security reason – and I think that’s what’s happening here.' He asked for an exception to be made, adding: 'I really can’t see how revealing that Andrew had police protection 25 years ago would play into the hands of terrorists as the Met claims.'
Metro has reached out to Andrew's representatives for comment.
