Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To support the Duke of York

999 replies

LadyLanka · 16/11/2019 21:42

Just that.
Although he is being asked the wrong questions.

OP posts:
Userzzzzz · 17/11/2019 21:32

I’m really intrigued as to why he thought it was a good idea. Everyone expected it to be a car crash and it obviously was. The only way he could have come out of it ok was to have been humble and apologise for his actions not try and bluster his way out of it while looking shifty and arrogant. What on Earth were the palace press office thinking? Did they genuinely think the public would fall in love with him and forget the accusations? I’m genuinely baffled by how it came about as anyone with any sense could have predicted it would go badly.

doritosdip · 17/11/2019 21:32

“It’s possible that she was forced to have sex with a man claiming to be Prince Andrew and with a strong resemblance to him."

Do you think that the man in the Daily Mail video who is chummy with Epstein's "employees" is a look alike too?

Alsohuman · 17/11/2019 21:32

I am not excusing him. I simply don’t have all the facts.

So you give the rich, powerful member of the Royal family the benefit of the doubt and confect implausible scenarios to excuse him. No benefit of the doubt for the women.

churchandstate · 17/11/2019 21:33

Do you think that the man in the Daily Mail video who is chummy with Epstein's "employees" is a look alike too?

Not at all. Prince Andrew has admitted he stayed at the house.

churchandstate · 17/11/2019 21:34

So you give the rich, powerful member of the Royal family the benefit of the doubt and confect implausible scenarios to excuse him. No benefit of the doubt for the women.

I don’t understand what you mean by “confect”. We are all speculating here. I don’t believe her and I don’t disbelieve her. I don’t know.

Candle1000 · 17/11/2019 21:34

I’ve just watched the interview- what a crock of lies - he says he had a medical condition that prevented him from sweating and stayed with a convicted sex offender because it was convenient- yeah right .

Leafyhouse · 17/11/2019 21:40

I loved the bit where he said, 'No no, I didn't invite him to a party at all. It was just an ordinary shooting weekend'.

ShockShockGrinHmm

CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook · 17/11/2019 21:41

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2019/nov/17/meetings-rehearsals-and-approval-from-mum-newsnights-prince-andrew-coup

How the whole interview came about.

A quote:

"Andrew’s private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, is now facing questions over her position after playing a key role in pushing for the interview to take place."

"Andrew’s team were nervous about how the interview would be perceived....... Others said the general public would appreciate Andrew putting himself up for scrutiny, and his references to a “straightforward shooting weekend” and rare visits to Pizza Express revealed him as he is, without PR sheen."

I don't think that last had the desired effect.

Gin96 · 17/11/2019 21:43

I can see more coming out over the years, more witnesses and evidence coming forward. I think PA forgets we all have catch up TV, everyone will be watching and scruitinising his answers and body language

Wakingupnow · 17/11/2019 21:45

I was sexually assaulted at 15. I'm now in my 50s. No one knows about it except my DH. There was no way I could have told anyone about it for years.I now know it wasn't my fault (I froze) Even tho I'm not ashamed of myself any more, I'm ashamed to tell anyone else because of attitudes
like "why didn't she speak up at the time?" Do you have any idea of the overwhelming sense if fear and shame? Far safer to put it on the back burner and pretend it never happened was my attitude.

I actually think that post should be removed suggesting PA couldn't have done it as VR didnt speak up at the time.

And why does the royal family being put in a terrible position mean he couldn't have done it?

For info, I am actually ok now. I'll never forget it.but I've left it behind

Leafyhouse · 17/11/2019 21:46

Oh, and also check out the reviews of Pizza Express in Woking on Trip Advisor for a good laugh. Smile

C8H10N4O2 · 17/11/2019 21:51

Do you have any idea of the overwhelming sense if fear and shame? Far safer to put it on the back burner and pretend it never happened was my attitude

Yes exactly. Victim blaming posters trying to excuse powerful men because a child didn't speak up at the time are frankly, scum.

RosieCockle · 17/11/2019 21:52

OP, with all due respect, are you a simpleton? On what grounds can you defend him? And btw I'm one of those who says a 17-ye-old in London is legal.

CatherineOfAragonsPrayerBook · 17/11/2019 21:56

It’s possible that she was forced to have sex with a man claiming to be Prince Andrew and with a strong resemblance to him

I don't think so Church reason being as I think your earlier theory has some basis that E had something substantial over PA. Perhaps videotape or something else. Maybe just his ability to talk.

We are saying PA is not particularly bright, however, even so, he HAD to know it was wrong to go and see him after he was convicted. Surely he had to. Ok, so then he goes. But then to stay?? The more I think about it no one is that stupid.

He's a Royal. Arrogant or not I don't think even he would risk so much willingly.

He looks nervous waving in the door clip. Like he's desperate not be papped there.

Charmlight · 17/11/2019 22:04

Does Prince Andrew not have to travel with personal protection officers, police?
I would have thought that their job would be to check out anywhere that he had chosen to stay, and have knowledge of their activities.
They must have known what went on (if he did have to travel with them).
Can they not be questioned?

Roussette · 17/11/2019 22:06

It’s possible that she was forced to have sex with a man claiming to be Prince Andrew and with a strong resemblance to him

I've heard it all now. So are you saying Epstein hired a look alike Prince to have sex with VR for some reason? . This is probably the most ridiculous thing I've heard. Did Epstein do that to have something on PA? What about the photo?

Moomin8 · 17/11/2019 22:08

The police do have knowledge about what these characters are up to and they enable it. These people are above the law.

Remember that Jimmy Savile used to spend a lot of time with the royal family. He had practically open access. The police will have been very aware of his crimes and depravities.

Moomin8 · 17/11/2019 22:09

It’s possible that she was forced to have sex with a man claiming to be Prince Andrew and with a strong resemblance to him

🤣🤣 what on Earth is wrong with people that they will come up with any crazy story to cover up for these awful people?

StoneofDestiny · 17/11/2019 22:11

I knew chaps who knew him. He was regarded as a very decent bloke. They were blokes who wpuld never have said anything nasty. Equally they'd have said nothing if there was nothing nice to say

What? I’ve heard from a number of sources he was disliked at all levels!

Roussette · 17/11/2019 22:12

Moomin8 God alone knows. That's the most bizarre thing I've heard. Given the sleaziness of both Andrew and his money grabbing ex wife, I know who I'm inclined to believe.

StoneofDestiny · 17/11/2019 22:13

For a guy from a family who reacted with horror when Meghan opened a car door herself - how at home Andrew was in Epstein’s house when he opened Epstein’s door to let the young woman out

Roussette · 17/11/2019 22:14

I knew chaps who knew him. He was regarded as a very decent bloke

Yep. The old boys network at its best

IcedPurple · 17/11/2019 22:16

Does Prince Andrew not have to travel with personal protection officers, police?
I would have thought that their job would be to check out anywhere that he had chosen to stay, and have knowledge of their activities.
They must have known what went on (if he did have to travel with them).
Can they not be questioned?

In the absence of legal proceedings, I don't think they could, as they would be bound by rules of confidentiality.

Interesing though that it seems not one single person has come forward to confirm the great Pizza Express outing of 2001. So not a single customer or member of staff recalls seeing two members of the royal family, and all their security entourage, at a humble Pizza Express in Woking? Not that it would neccessarily exculpate him if they did, as he could easily have been out with his daughter in the early evening and partying with god knows who at Tramps until the crack of dawn.

Patroclus · 17/11/2019 22:18

I bet Phil is fixing his brakes as we speak

TooManyPaws · 17/11/2019 22:19

People who actually mixed with him and didn't bleat to the press because, you know, loyalty and the osa.

I actually sat in the SR Mess onboard Edinburgh when he was an officer on board (he'd apparently gone to visit Mumsie at Balmoral that weekend) and listened to people who mixed with him in their work say how much they loathed him and what an utter entitled knobhead he was. I've also personally heard from dockyard workers who came in contact with him through work what a pompous prick he was when his later ship was based at Rosyth. As far as I am aware, none of them ever spoke to the press but they were quite happy to sound off about him. And I don't think that my signing of the Official Secrets Act actually prevents from me saying any of this.