Pizza Express conducted an internal investigation into the Woking branch to verify an alibi provided by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, regarding his whereabouts on March 10, 2001. According to the BBC, the company found no evidence confirming his presence at the restaurant, nor definitive proof that he was absent, during the day he was alleged to have been with a teenage victim of Jeffrey Epstein in London.
Why Did Pizza Express Investigate the Claim?
Senior management at the restaurant chain initiated the inquiry because they believed it was in the public interest to test the alibi, according to BBC reporting. Mountbatten-Windsor claimed in a 2019 Newsnight interview that he had taken his daughter to a birthday party at the Woking branch of Pizza Express on that afternoon. He stated that because the duchess was away, he followed a family rule to remain with the children while he was on terminal leave from the Royal Navy.
What Evidence Exists Regarding the Alleged Visit?
BBC Newsnight research uncovered no evidence of anyone ever seeing Mountbatten-Windsor at the restaurant on the day in question. Virginia Giuffre, a victim of the child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, alleged that she and Mountbatten-Windsor spent time at the Tramp nightclub in London on March 10, 2001, before traveling to Ghislaine Maxwell’s home in Belgravia, where she claimed he had sex with her. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
How Did Law Enforcement Respond to the Alibi?
The BBC attempted to verify the claim by submitting a Freedom of Information request to the Metropolitan Police. The broadcaster asked whether royal protection officers had accompanied Mountbatten-Windsor, as he had claimed. According to the BBC, Scotland Yard refused to confirm or deny the existence of such records, citing “national security” and the potential to reveal whether protection was afforded to specific individuals other than the King and the Prime Minister.
This refusal occurred despite previous acknowledgments from the Metropolitan Police regarding the protection of Mountbatten-Windsor. In February, the force stated it was contacting former and current protection officers to determine if they had relevant information regarding criminal allegations against him.
Recent Legal Developments
On February 19, Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrest appeared to be related to his conduct as a UK trade envoy and followed the disclosure of emails related to Epstein. He was subsequently released under investigation. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Pro Tip: For those tracking the intersection of public records and high-profile legal cases, follow the Metropolitan Police’s official press portal for updates on ongoing investigations, as they provide the most accurate, verified statements regarding active files.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Did Pizza Express find proof that Mountbatten-Windsor was there? No. According to the BBC, the chain found no evidence he was at the restaurant, nor evidence to definitively prove he was not.
- Why did the Metropolitan Police refuse to confirm the protection details? The police cited “national security” and stated that confirming the information would reveal whether protection was afforded to individuals other than the King and the Prime Minister.
- What are the current legal status of the allegations? Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office earlier this year and remains under investigation.
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