Prince Andrew may be called to testify in UK fraud trial

A UK High Court judge has ruled that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor may be required to give evidence in a fraud trial involving a Turkish businessman. The case involves a lawsuit brought by Nebahat Isbilen against her former adviser, Selman Turk.

Ms. Isbilen alleges that Mr. Turk misled her regarding a £750,000 payment made to the former Duke of York in 2019, a sum that was subsequently repaid. Mr. Turk denies any dishonesty and sought permission to call Mountbatten-Windsor as a witness to support his defense.

Justice Adam Johnson granted permission for Mr. Turk to rely on a witness summary and seek evidence from Mountbatten-Windsor, noting that fairness requires the defendant to present his case given the seriousness of the allegations. The judge noted that while a witness summons will likely be necessary to compel testimony, the evidence provided by the former duke is expected to be “limited in scope” and can be accommodated within the 11-week trial scheduled to begin in November.