29/10/2007

Royal Blackmail Accused Revealed

The identities of two men accused of attempting to blackmail an unidentified member of the Royal Family have been revealed.

Ian Strachan and Sean McGuigan, aged 30 and 40 and both from London, are due to appear at the Old Bailey in December.

It has been alleged that the pair had contacted a member of the Royal staff, demanding £50,000 because they had video footage which, they claimed, showed a member of the Royal Family engaged in a sex and drugs scandal.

The Sunday Times reported that that alleged blackmailers first contacted the Royal household on August 2.

The report said that one of the men claimed that they had a videotape, which showed an aide performing oral sex on someone, alleged to be a member of the Royal Family.

They also claimed to have evidence that the Royal had supplied the aide with an envelope containing cocaine.

The men were arrested after a meeting was arranged by an undercover detective, posing as a member of the Royal staff, at the London Hilton in Park Lane on September 11. It was reported that parts of the video were shown before the arrests took place.

It is thought that the claims relate to a minor member of the Royal Family with a low public profile.

Buckingham Palace had refused to comment on the issue, saying that it is a "matter for the police".

A court order has prevented the media from revealing the name of the Royal Family member concerned.

(KMcA)


Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

21 February 2008
Afghanistan Death Confirmed
It has been confirmed that a soldier from 40 Commando Royal Marines has been killed in an explosion in Afghanistan. It happened on Wednesday, with one other marine also injured in the incident, and since described as "walking wounded".
07 November 2003
Prince Charles dismisses 'entirely untrue' allegations
Prince Charles has issued a statement describing as "entirely untrue" allegations from a former royal aide that had been due to appear in last week's Mail on Sunday.
16 August 2006
Royal editor in court on phone hacking charges
The 'News of the World's' royal editor has appeared in court charged in connection with allegations of hacking into mobile phones belonging to the Royal Family.
08 October 2013
The Royal Mint Launches New Christening Coin
History is being made as Prince George of Cambridge becomes the first royal baby to be honoured with a christening coin from The Royal Mint.
18 September 2009
Stamps Mark Naval Heritages
Weapons Engineer, Sandy Jardine - pictured on HMS Daring - the Royal Navy's newest, most powerful destroyer, lent a hand to launch Royal Mail's Royal Navy Uniforms Special Stamps. He was helping out as Royal Mail charted over two centuries of Royal Navy uniforms on six new stamps just issued.