Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could be required to give evidence in a High Court fraud case involving payments made to him and members of his family by an elderly Turkish millionaire.
Mr Justice Johnson ruled that former Goldman Sachs banker Selman Turk could seek evidence from the former Duke of York as part of his defence against allegations brought by Nebahat Isbilen.
The judgment allows Mr Turk to pursue Andrew’s testimony ahead of a trial scheduled to begin in the week of November 16.
The judge indicated that a witness summons would likely be necessary if Andrew is to be compelled to give evidence.
Andrew is not accused of wrongdoing, and the proceedings are not a case against him.
Turkish Millionaire Alleges Former Adviser Misappropriated Her Fortune
Mrs Isbilen, 81, alleges that Mr Turk misled her over payments made to Andrew and his relatives in 2019.
She claims the former banker, who had acted as her adviser, diverted millions of pounds from her fortune after she left Turkey to live in the United Kingdom.
Mr Turk denies the allegations.
The dispute has involved claims that tens of millions of pounds belonging to Mrs Isbilen were misappropriated, with her lawyers telling the London court that Mr Turk had failed to account for where the money went.
According to the allegations, disclosures obtained by Mrs Isbilen’s legal team indicated that substantial sums from her funds had been transferred to the former Duke of York’s household.
Payments to Andrew and His Family Under Scrutiny
The case has drawn attention to several payments allegedly arranged by Mr Turk involving Andrew and members of his family.
The sums identified in the proceedings included £350,000 paid to Andrew, £225,000 to Sarah, Duchess of York, and £25,000 to Princess Eugenie.
A further £750,000 was described as a gift connected with Princess Beatrice’s wedding.
Mrs Isbilen alleges that Mr Turk deceived her over the transactions.
Her lawyers previously told the court that money belonging to their client had been used for purposes unrelated to her, including substantial payments to Andrew and Sarah.
There has been no suggestion that Andrew or his family acted improperly in connection with the payments.
Former Banker’s Lawyers Seek Andrew’s Testimony
Mr Turk’s legal team argued that Andrew could help establish his account of the events surrounding the disputed transactions.
They applied to the High Court for permission to call evidence from the former prince.
Granting the application, Mr Justice Johnson said Mr Turk should have the opportunity to present evidence relevant to his defence.
“Given the seriousness of the allegations, both on their own terms and in light of their wider impact, fairness requires that Mr Turk should be afforded an opportunity of putting forward his own case, using the evidence he considers relevant and material,” the judge said.
He clarified that the ruling permitted Mr Turk to seek evidence from Andrew.
A witness summons could be issued without further court permission, provided it was served more than seven days before the trial begins.
Judge Says Andrew Is Unlikely to Volunteer Evidence
The judge also addressed whether Andrew would provide a witness statement voluntarily.
Mr Justice Johnson said he was satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that Andrew would have declined to provide one if asked.
“It is highly unlikely that a person in the position of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor would wish voluntarily to provide a witness statement and give evidence at a trial in public proceedings involving payments made by the wife of a person said to be a political prisoner in Turkey, in connection with a dispute about the reason the payments were made,” he said.
The ruling means Mr Turk can take steps to seek Andrew’s testimony as the proceedings move towards trial.
Andrew and Sarah Reached Settlement With Mrs Isbilen
The former Duke and Duchess of York reached a settlement with Mrs Isbilen in 2023, with an undisclosed amount agreed to be repaid.
The settlement was previously mentioned in the High Court proceedings, where the court heard that an agreement had been reached between the parties.
The fraud allegations against Mr Turk remain disputed, and the trial is due to begin in the week of November 16.
