Sarah Ferguson trapped in sting selling access to ex-husband Prince Andrew

(HMG) – The Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson (Fergie), has been humiliated and reportedly on suicide watch, after she was caught on tape agreeing to sell access to her ex-husband Prince Andrew, who serves as Britain’s special representative for international trade and investment, in exchange for $724,000. The scandal was first reported by News of the World, who orchestrated a sting with one of it’s reporters, posing as a wealthy businessman. According to the News of the World, its reporter met the duchess twice, in New York on May 13 and in London last week. Fergie “promised” to introduce the reporter to Prince Andrew and “claimed” the Duke of York would fix him up with “lucrative deals.”  A video on News of the World, shows the 50 year old Duchess taking a computer bag, containing 40,000 pounds as a down payment. She went on to say that not only would this be an introduction to the Prince, the Queen’s second son, it would also open the door for lucrative international deals, after another 500,000 pounds was wire transfer to her. Fergie also made it very clear on the tape that Prince Andrew could know nothing of this transaction because it is “whiter than white” and would never take money from anyone in a deal such as this.  The newspaper also reported that she “demanded a cut of all profits”.

Acknowledging financial difficulties, Sarah Ferguson apologized today saying in a statement issued by her spokeswoman, Kate Waddington:
“I very deeply regret the situation and the embarrassment caused,” she said. “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 can confirm that The Duke of York was not aware or involved in any of the discussions that occurred. I am sincerely sorry for my actions.”

This is the second royal victim of a sting by the News of the World. The duchess’s former sister-in-law Sophie, Countess of Wessex, was forced to resign from her PR firm in 2001 after making indiscreet comments about Tony Blair, William Hague and Gordon Brown, having been tempted by the prospect of managing a PR account for a fake Saudi prince.