Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Britain's Duchess of York apologises after paper sting
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
Britain's Duchess of York apologises after paper sting
AFP - Monday, May 24
Send
IM Story
Print
LONDON (AFP) - – Britain's Duchess of York has apologised for a "serious lapse in judgment" after she was caught in a newspaper sting apparently offering access to ex-husband Prince Andrew in exchange for cash.
Sarah Ferguson also admitted Sunday having financial problems after she appeared to agree to be paid 500,000 pounds by a journalist posing as a businessman, in a video that was secretly filmed by the News of the World.
In return for the money, the paper said she promised to introduce the undercover reporter to the prince, who is Queen Elizabeth II's second son and Britain's special representative for international trade and investment.
As well as making the deal for half a million pounds -- the equivalent of 575,000 euros or 723,000 dollars -- the footage also showed Ferguson sitting in front of a pile of cash apparently handed to her as an advance payment.
After the publication of the report Sunday, the duchess issued an apology for her actions and said the prince had not been aware of the meetings. In the video, Ferguson had suggested the prince knew about the discussions.
"I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused," she said in a statement.
"It is true that my financial situation is under stress, however, that is no excuse for a serious lapse in judgment and I am very sorry that this has happened."
"I am sincerely sorry for my actions," she added.
Ferguson said that the prince was "not aware or involved in any of the discussions that occurred."
In a separate statement Sunday, a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said the prince, the Duke of York, "categorically" denied having any knowledge of the meeting between his ex-wife and the undercover reporter.
In the video, Ferguson is filmed saying: "500,000 pounds to me, when you can... open doors."
Asked if she was referring to the prince, she said "Yeah", then shook hands with the reporter before apparently accepting a 40,000 dollar (27,600 pounds, 32,000 euros) cash down payment.
The newspaper said the prince knew nothing about it. But the video showed Ferguson saying she had discussed the deal with her former husband, telling the reporter: "Andrew said to me, 'Tell him 500,000 pounds'.
"So if you want to meet him in your business, look after me and he'll look after you... you'll get it back tenfold," she added.
The couple divorced in 1996 but have remained close friends. According to the paper, the duchess said of their relationship: "We're the happiest divorced couple in the world."
The paper reported the 50-year-old duchess met the fake businessman on two occasions -- first at a New York hotel and then at the exclusive Mosimann's dining club in London.
It said she was then chauffeured with the reporter to a flat where she was shown on the video apparently shaking on a deal to introduce him to her former husband.
Since Ferguson and the prince separated, she has been dogged by rumours of money troubles which have recently escalated.
It emerged last month she was facing legal action from a law firm over an unpaid bill thought to be as much as 100,000 pounds. Last year her plans to celebrate her 50th birthday were reportedly scaled down due to money concerns.
A company set up in the United States to manage her career there in publishing, public speaking and media work is also expected to close with debts of more than half a million pounds.
Ferguson faced a tough task to build herself a career outside Britain's royal family, but managed to carve a niche as a children's author and charity activist.
In 1993, she founded Children in Crisis, an organisation which helps educate youngsters around the world and is a patron of other charities.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Fragile Burundi kicks off shaky election marathon AFP - 1 hour 49 minutes ago
UK-World Summary Reuters - 29 minutes ago
Large fire breaks out in Myanmar market complex Reuters - 1 hour 24 minutes ago
Putin party embarrassed by local poll debacle AFP - 1 hour 27 minutes ago
Pressure piles on BP as Gulf spill widens Reuters - 2 hours 37 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Britain's coalition sets out plan to cut record deficit
Air passengers face misery as BA strike starts
Spanish PM vows to stay firm on cuts despite strike threat
Anger mounts as oil blackens Louisiana marshes, beaches
Clinton, Geithner arrive in Beijing for talks
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Paris museum burglar grabs 120-million-dollar art haul
Tourists take walk on wild side with LA gang tour
US team creates first 'synthetic life'
Britain's coalition sets out plan to cut record deficit
Pope, ECB chief slam governments over debt crisis
More Most Viewed »
Scientists stunned as grey whale sighted off Israel
Lack of sleep linked to early death: study
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study
Ocean fish could disappear in 40 years: UN
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Monday, 24 May 2010 New Turkish secularist party leader sacks old guard
Fresh appeals lodged in Iraqi election impasse
|
Iran will ditch fuel plan if new sanctions
New Turkish secularist party leader sacks old guard
|
Fresh appeals lodged in Iraqi election impasse
Man sentenced to death in Iraq for Russian killings
|
Iran says U.S. "hikers" spies, proposes prisoner swap
Rebel Nagorno-Karabakh holds parliamentary vote
|
Iran's IAEA envoy says not handed over fuel swap letter
Gunmen torch UN camp for Gaza children
Thai film wins top prize at Cannes
Relatives: 3 Pakistanis innocent in Times Sq. case
Sprint shares could rise on 4G phone: Barron's
|
Thai film takes Cannes top prize
Russia gives U.S. Afghan drugs data, criticises NATO
Yemen cleric urges US army Muslims to kill comrades
Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
US has uphill struggle in key talks with China
Insurgents attack NATO's southern Afghan base
Clinton briefs China on S.Korean warship sinking
Afghan peace conference delayed for 2nd time
Jihadis make their way to Pakistan training areas
South Korea to take ship case to U.N
Thai film surprise winner in Cannes
|
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Lost fans gear up for series finale
|
Thai film surprise winner in Cannes
French farmers turn Champs Elysees green
Shrek sequel underperforms at box office
|
French rocker Hallyday goes home for medical tests
|
Thai film 'Uncle Boonmee' takes Cannes top prize
France's Juliette Binoche takes Cannes best actress prize
"Lost" fans gear up for series finale
Indonesia's Democratic Party elects new head
"Shrek" sequel underperforms at box office
Darfur rebels say release 63 government soldiers
Putin party embarrassed by local poll debacle
Facebook founder out to fix "a bunch of mistakes"
Two Koreas snarl at each other as tensions rise
|
Syria defies Western pressure over Hezbollah
Britain's coalition sets out plan to cut record deficit
Sprint shares could rise on 4G phone: Barron's
Britain's Duchess of York apologises after paper sting
Thailand maintains growth projections despite riots
|
Man sentenced to death in Iraq for Russian killings
Air passengers face misery as BA strike starts
Dutch to hold first European Somali pirate trial
Spanish PM vows to stay firm on cuts despite strike threat
Jamaica declares emergency in capital after attacks
|
Anger mounts as oil blackens Louisiana marshes, beaches
Australia expels Israeli diplomat over Dubai hit
|
Duchess of York apologizes over newspaper sting
|
Militants attack U.N. Gaza summer camp
|
Iran executes brother of rebel leader Rigi: IRNA
|
South Korea's Lee says to take North to Security Council
|
Jamaica PM vows tough response to gang violence
Bangkok gets back to business after protests
US threatens to take control of BP spill
India PM: "major effort" in Indo-Pakistan talks
Jamaica crackdown: women, children ordered away
India PM hopes for progress on inflation and Pakistan
Lee: NKorea must pay for torpedo attack on warship
India PM: 'trust deficit' in way of Pakistan ties
HK Democrats meet Chinese official for first time
Philippine boxing star Pacquiao hospitalized
Surreal Thai film wins Cannes gold for Asia
Australia moves to expel Israeli diplomat
Tata Motors orders checks on Nanos after fires
Pakistani c.bank sells 12.5 bln rupees of T-bills
WRAPUP 4-Two Koreas snarl at each other, tensions rise
Seoul shares turn up on steelmakers, shipyards
Hu says China to hold firm on yuan policy
Reliance, RNRL shares up after Ambanis call truce
Bargain hunting drives Asia stocks higher
China presses US to end tech export controls
"Robin Hood" holds on to No. 1 overseas
China backs exchange rate reforms but no timetable
The undead live on through George Romero
PAKISTAN
Ailing rocker Bret Michaels wins "Celebrity Apprentice"
Thai Cannes winner steeped in spiritualism
Gumbo, oyster delicacies could be next victims of oil slick
Indonesian worker bitten by Komodo dragon
Hemp backers try to escape shadow of marijuana
Rolling Stones return to top of album chart
3-D Shrek knocks Iron Man off North American box office top spot
Lost leaves fans with still more questions
|
Ailing rocker Bret Michaels wins Celebrity Apprentice
|
The undead live on through George Romero
|
Thai Cannes winner steeped in spiritualism
|
Robin Hood holds on to No. 1 overseas
|
Lindsay Lohan back in LA for Monday court showdown
|
Iran outlines nuclear fuel swap plan to U.N. watchdog
Rescue of Spain bank 'could cost' 2.7 bln euros
Iran notifies UN nuclear watchdog of fuel deal
Iran urges skeptical powers to accept atom swap offer
|
US-TECH Summary
Flights misery as BA cabin crew launch strike
Iran hands over response to fuel deal to IAEA
Samsung, Sony chiefs may discuss 3D TV deals, LCD supplies
Japanese team discovers 'super disc' material
Iran executes brother of Sunni rebel leader Rigi
BP Reveals Less Oil Is Being Siphoned Than Reported
Large fire breaks out in Myanmar market complex
|
Museums Salute Military Families With Free Admission
Man Falls Off Cliff Trying To Grab Cell Phone
Slovak opposition KDH bets on right-wing coalition
|
Trial Begins Of Chicago Cop Accused Of Torture
Arctic Sea Ice Melt Parallels 2007 Record Low Level
Israel denies report on nuclear arms sale offer
|
Three Dead, 3 Injured In Freeway Collisions In Southern California
Ethiopia's Meles expected to win election
|
Report: Childhood Mortality Rates Declining
EU aid to Palestinians may shrink if talks fail
|
Bret Michaels Wins Celebrity Apprentice
Afghans: 7 arrests in deaths of 6 NATO troops
Harvey Milk Day Celebrated 32 Years After His Death
Li displeased despite French Open first round win
Yemen tribesmen kidnap US couple
Samsung, Sony chiefs may discuss 3D TV deals, LCD supplies
Djou Becomes First Republican To Win Honolulu Congressional Seat In 20 Years
HK Democrats meet Chinese official for first time
With US support, SKorea cuts trade with North
Thailand maintains growth projections despite riots
Philippines' Aquino not ready to quit smoking
Nokia and Yahoo in maps, e-mail deal
|
S.Korea cuts trade, sea lanes with North
Samsung, Sony chiefs may discuss 3D TV deals, LCD supplies
|
US presses China on N.Korea as key talks open
Fire rages at major market in Yangon in Myanmar
Pakistan keeps policy rate unchanged at 12.5 percent
GM China joint venture to boost capacity 50% by 2012
Pakistan keeps policy rate unchaged at 12.5 pct
China, US open trade-focused talks
Nissan Motors to sell Micra in India
SK Energy to run lower-emission cracker from Oct
Cannes 2010 awards ceremony
Thai economy grows but unrest to crimp expansion
Boring or beautiful? Cannes winner splits critics
Afghan farmers at war's epicentre play both sides
Brittany Murphy's husband found dead in Los Angeles
|
Boring or beautiful? Cannes winner splits critics
|
Jessica Simpson wins ban on exercise video
|
Serbia dreams of becoming movie hotspot
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights