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Duke 'unaware' of ex-wife meeting | Duke 'unaware' of ex-wife meeting |
(10 minutes later) | |
Prince Andrew "categorically" denies knowing about his ex-wife's meeting with a reporter in which she allegedly offered access to him for cash. | |
Buckingham Palace said the Duke of York had carried out his role as a UK trade envoy with "complete and absolute propriety and integrity". | |
Sarah Ferguson has apologised for her "serious lack of judgement". | |
The News of the World said she had agreed a £500,000 ($723,000) deal with a reporter posing as a businessman. | |
'No excuse' | |
In a statement, the Duchess of York said she was "sincerely sorry" for her actions and admitted her financial situation was "under stress". | In a statement, the Duchess of York said she was "sincerely sorry" for her actions and admitted her financial situation was "under stress". |
"I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused," she said. | "I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused," she said. |
Sarah Ferguson's marriage to Prince Andrew ended in 1996 | |
"It is true that my financial situation is under stress. However, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgement and I am very sorry that this has happened." | "It is true that my financial situation is under stress. However, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgement and I am very sorry that this has happened." |
She confirmed the Duke of York "was not aware or involved in any of the discussions that occurred". | She confirmed the Duke of York "was not aware or involved in any of the discussions that occurred". |
"The duke has made a significant contribution to his business role over the last 10 years and has always acted with complete integrity," she added. | "The duke has made a significant contribution to his business role over the last 10 years and has always acted with complete integrity," she added. |
'Open doors' | |
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said: "The Duke of York categorically denies any knowledge of any meeting or conversation between the Duchess of York and the News of the World journalist. | |
"Since 2001 he has carried out his role of Special Representative with complete and absolute propriety and integrity." | |
The undercover reporter posed as a wealthy businessman and recorded the duchess apparently agreeing a deal for an introduction to her former husband. She also appears to accept $40,000 in cash. | |
According to the video, the 50-year-old duchess tells the undercover reporter "£500,000 when you can, to me... open doors". | |
She also says the cash would "open up all the channels whatever you need, whatever you want, and then that's what and then you meet Andrew and that's fine. | |
"And that's, that's when you really open up whatever you want." |