The Duke of York is in the spotlight again. Prince Andrew is embroiled in another scandal after he and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson have been named in a ruling on a High Court case. The case involves an elderly Turkish millionaire and a Turkish businessman and former banker based in London. It is claimed Andrew received more than £1 million via an alleged fraudster.
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A High Court case
Deputy High Court judge David Halpern has named them in a recent ruling on the case, a dispute between Turkish millionaire Nebahat Isbilen, who is in her 70s, and businessman and former Goldman Sachs banker, Selman Turk.
Mrs Isbilen’s husband, Ilhan Isbilen, is a former MP who was jailed in Turkey in 2015, reportedly due to his 'political affiliations.'
The money given to the Duke is thought to have included £750,000 from Mrs Isbilen. Following her husband’s imprisonment, Mrs Isbilen alleges she was tricked by Mr Turk into paying the Prince to help her obtain a new passport and escape political persecution.
Mrs Isbilen claims that Mr Turk 'breached fiduciary obligations he owed to her' and 'advances claims in deceit.' Mr Turk denies the allegations.
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'Substantial sums were paid'
A lawyer representing Mrs Isbilen told Judge Halpern in an affidavit that information has come to light that proves evidence given by Mr Turk was 'misleading.'
Solicitor Jonathan Tickner told the Judge how evidence demonstrated that 'money was used for purposes unconnected with Mrs Isbilen, e.g., substantial sums were paid to Prince Andrew, Duke of York, and to Sarah, Duchess of York.'
The trial is ongoing. The Prince has since repaid the money after Mrs Isbilen alleged it was a scam. It is unclear how the Duke became involved, and there has been no explanation from him. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on behalf of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson.
