Police give update on ex-Royal gardener and advisor to King Charles from Blackpool facing paedophile claims

Vanessa Sims
By Vanessa Sims
Published 7th Mar 2024, 13:51 BST
Updated 24th May 2024, 14:56 BST
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Police have issued an update on a former Royal gardener facing paedophile claims in Lancashire.

Paedophile hunters carried out a sting in February on a Blackpool man who claims to have worked for the Royal Family.

The 68-year-old was arrested after the vigilante group visited his home in the resort on February 24.

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The sting was live streamed on Facebook, with the man inviting the group into his home where he was accused of grooming and sending sexually explicit images to a 15-year-old boy online.

Inside, dozens of framed pictures of the Royal Family adorned his walls.

He revealed he was a retired gardener who was formerly employed by the Royals at Kensington Palace and Balmoral Castle.

He claims to have worked for King Charles - "advising him on organic gardening matters" - and said he was on close, personal terms with other senior members of the Royal Family.He claims to have worked for King Charles - "advising him on organic gardening matters" - and said he was on close, personal terms with other senior members of the Royal Family.
He claims to have worked for King Charles - "advising him on organic gardening matters" - and said he was on close, personal terms with other senior members of the Royal Family.

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He claims to have worked for King Charles - "advising him on organic gardening matters" - and was close to other senior members of the Royal Family.

In the video, he alleged that he is 'still very close' with the Royal Family - most recently working for them during the King's coronation last year.

Balmoral Castle. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA WireBalmoral Castle. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Balmoral Castle. Photo: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

He alleged that Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, had even visited his home in a "beat up old Range Rover to avoid being noticed".

Speaking openly about his service to the Royal household, he claimed the late Queen Elizabeth II had a ribald sense of humour and "loved playing naughty pranks".

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He also hit out at Meghan and Harry - describing the Duchess of Sussex as 'vile', and alleged he had been 'groped' by Prince Andrew - saying the Prince 'grabbed his bottom'He also hit out at Meghan and Harry - describing the Duchess of Sussex as 'vile', and alleged he had been 'groped' by Prince Andrew - saying the Prince 'grabbed his bottom'
He also hit out at Meghan and Harry - describing the Duchess of Sussex as 'vile', and alleged he had been 'groped' by Prince Andrew - saying the Prince 'grabbed his bottom'

During the 45-minute interrogation, he also hit out at Meghan and Harry - describing the Duchess of Sussex as 'vile', and alleged he had been 'groped' by Prince Andrew.

Buckingham Palace said it was unable to comment due to its "staff privacy policy".

Lancashire Police were called to the home and the 68-year-old was arrested and taken into custody.

Join our new WhatsApp Community to get the latest news and top stories from across Lancashire directly to your phone. Speaking in February a police spokesperson said: "A 68-year-old man from Blackpool was arrested on February 24 on suspicion of sexual offences.

"He has since been released on conditional bail."

Lancashire Police has since updated the Lancashire Post and Blackpool Gazette that he man answered bail and has been rebailed until late August so further investigations can be made.

Related topics:BlackpoolBuckingham PalaceRoyalsLancashire PolicePoliceVideoCoronationFacebookElizabeth IIPrince William