Blackmail Plot Royal Told Friend: 'Do Whatever It Takes To Protect My Family'
Written by Joanne Leyland
Thursday, 17 April 2008
The
Old Bailey has heard today how the junior royal who was allegedly targeted by
blackmailers told a friend to "do whatever it takes" to protect his family.
The plea followed an alleged attempt by Sean McGuigan and Ian Strachan to
extort £50,000 from the married royal, who can’t
be named in Britain due to legal reasons.
In response to the request, the male friend of the royal - who doesn’t carry out any engagements and
receives no money from the state - worked with police as part of a sting
operation at a London hotel. This resulted in the arrest of the defendants.
Earlier this week, a member of staff working for the junior royal told the Old
Bailey trial of the two defendants that she was "stunned" when she received a
threatening phone call during which it was claimed the married royal - referred to in court as ‘Witness
A’ – had taken part in a gay sex act and had snorted cocaine.
Speaking from behind a screen at the start of the Old Bailey trial, the female
aide told the jury: "I
was somewhat stunned I have to say."
"I just said that was interesting. I knew it was not true."
The defendants deny making an unwarranted demand with menaces.
Comment: I don't agree with Anyacat. You pay a blackmailer, you continue to do so for a very long time. Of course, far simpler than to pay the blackmailer to keep everything quiet, why not just behave in a way that doesn't include the possibility of blackmail? If true, the party in question apparently is bisexual. Why not just admit it than sneak to get the satisfaction he wants?
Name: Monika
Comment: Rachel makes a good point.
Personally, I respect and admire the fact that the victim's name will not be released in the British media. I've always found tremendous irony (if not a wee bit of unfairness) in the US media's aggressive 'right to know' attitude. It often leaves the victim without ANY right to privacy. It’s one thing to report on a cover-up regarding a nuclear power plant, but what good would it do to reveal the name of a victim faced with circumstances that only affect him and his family? Aside from selling papers, I fail to see one.
Name: Rachel
Comment: This isn't a secret trial. Granted, the potential victim of blackmail isn't mentioned; but isn't that usually the case? Releasing the name of a blackmail victim does the blackmailer's job for him but without the payoff.
Name: Carolyn
Comment: Anyacat, you've spoiled another possible conspiracy with logic
Name: M-M
Comment: Well OF COURSE he wanted his wife and children protected ...... but 'do whatever it takes' covers a lot more ground for the British RF than say for Mr Average . Secret court proceedings for a start !
Name: Rachel
Comment: I assumed as well that "my family" referred to the man's own family, not the Royal Family.
Name: Monika
Comment: Mighty interesting "quote, unquote" about his relatives. I read that in his biography and I must admit it made me chuckle. Considering recent events, it's a pity he didn't stand his ground. I suppose that, like Diana, Edward VIII was too popular for his own good!
Name: anyacat
Comment: ...or it could be the person in question wished to protect his wife and children. Are you suggesting, Colleen, that the person in question involved the police as part of a cover-up? Wouldn't it have been a neater solution for the person to have paid the blackmailers and kept this whole affair out of the press?
Name: Monika
Comment: I think that is a sentiment we all could appreciate.
Name: Emily Elizabeth Windsor-Cragg
Comment: From an analyst's point of view, this story contains sufficient detail to identify the Royal involved.
Why do they do that? ... shoot themselves in the foot by releasing too much detail?
EEWC
Name: exploora
Comment: Sometimes I wonder how much protection Royals need from their "Aids" and "friends" and possibly "friends of friends". I am not referring to this case in particular, but in general, some of the pictures and information that should be personal and private, are being exploited.
Even that picture of Harry in the Nazi fancy dress, I think was suicidal to wear such a costume, or incredibly stupid knowing there would be "friends" who could sell it to the papers.
Name: colleen
Comment: The statement "Do whatever you can to protect my family" which I take means the Royals. That statement could it have been said about another member of the Royal Family who knew too much. How far would anyone go to protect the Royal Family . Interesting!!!
