Barely three days after she was filmed offering to sell access to UK’s trade envoy and her ex- husband Prince Andrew for £500,000, the Duchess of York has been urged to come clean or face a parliamentary inquiry.
50-year-old Sarah Ferguson has been asked to reveal details of all introductions she made to the Duke of York and details of any payments she may have received as a result of her connection to Prince Andrew, the second son of the Queen, or face a parliamentary probe, the Times reported.
Quoting royal sources, the newspaper said the Duchess had introduced a number of business contacts to Prince Andrew, whose work as a government envoy is focused on the West Asia and Asia.
Now, John Mann, a former member of Commons treasury select committee, has called on the Duchess, saying, “If she’s acting as a consultant she needs to bring it into the open so people can make a judgment.”
“The way to avoid a parliamentary inquiry is to come clean. People have a right to know when a public figure is involved. If she is acting as some kind of lobbyist it is foolhardy for her not to declare her earnings to someone who has a semi-governmental role,” he added. However, a spokeswoman for the Duchess has said: “As far as she can recall she has never effected any introductions to the Duke in his capacity as the UK’s special representative nor any other business introductions. She categorically denies profiting from effecting any introduction.”
Meanwhile, the Buckingham Palace has emphasised that the Duke was totally unaware of his former wife requesting any payments for making introductions.
A spokesman said: “The Duke of York cannot be clearer on this point: he’s not aware of any payment of any kind ever having been made to anyone to meet, or otherwise have access to him, in his nine years as special representative — and nor would he allow it.”
The Duchess had on Monday apologised over the cash-for-access scandal.
“I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused. It is true that my financial situation is under stress. However, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened,” she had said in a statement.