Former Prince Andrew's alleged Pizza Express visit disputed.

The arrest came shortly after the US Justice Department released a batch of the Epstein files.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing.

The pizza chain has now launched a formal enquiry and looked into its records. This also included speaking to past employees.

Unfortunately, the Woking branch manager has since left and could not be contacted.

Pizza Express concluded it could find no evidence that Andrew had been at the restaurant that evening, but no evidence that he hadn’t, either.

The Newsnight made ‘extensive inquiries’ but could not find a record of anyone seeing him there on that night in 2001.

In response to a Freedom of Information request over the matter, which asked if any royal protection officers were there, the Met Police replied: ‘Confirming or denying that information is held would reveal whether protection had been afforded to a specific individual other than the King and the prime minister.’

Scotland Yard had previously stated that his close protection officers were being asked to ‘consider carefully’ whether they saw or heard anything that might be relevant to the case.

A statement from King Charles issued following Andrew’s arrest said: ‘I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

‘What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

‘Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.’

Six years ago, his family diary was leaked, which said he had a home manicure booked in the afternoon, before claiming to drop his then 12-year-old daughter off at the restaurant, according to the Daily Mail.

His daughter Princess Beatrice later said she has ‘absolutely no recollection’ of the birthday party, which her father claimed to have attended.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticised the police’s response, telling the BBC: ‘Of course, the police are rightly very careful about giving any information about who they give special protection to.

‘I completely understand that and it’s right. But too often we see these types of “neither confirm nor deny” answers where there really isn’t a legitimate security reason – and I think that’s what’s happening here.’

He asked for an ‘exception’ to be made by the force to reveal the information, adding: ‘I really can’t see how revealing that Andrew had police protection 25 years ago would play into the hands of terrorists as the Met claims.’

The Royals previously made this statement: ‘His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles and Honours of Prince Andrew.

\Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor. His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation. These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him. 

‘Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.’

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