Manuel Fernandez, a close associate and business partner of Sarah Ferguson, allegedly leveraged his connections to the British royal family to threaten a former employee of his defunct lifestyle app, vVoosh, with imprisonment. The worker, identified as "Alex," claims Fernandez used Ferguson's status as an investor and "ambassador" for the company to intimidate staff and potential investors.
According to recordings and documents obtained by the BBC, Alex was informed by Fernandez and a security consultant, Mark Harry, that police would investigate him for allegedly compromising "royal security" by hacking emails. Alex stated that he was owed thousands in unpaid invoices by the financially troubled vVoosh and decided to record a meeting with Fernandez and Harry in June 2017 to protect himself. During this meeting, Alex's other phone was reportedly taken by force, and he was denied access to his personal data.
Alex described feeling "so scared" during the encounter, noting that Harry was significantly larger than him. Harry, a former soldier and security adviser, stated that he understood the matter was handled appropriately at the time and strongly disputed any allegations made against him. In the recorded conversation, Fernandez and Harry allegedly threatened Alex with a two-year jail sentence under the Computer Misuse Act for breaching a "Palace's confidentiality agreement," implying the hacked emails belonged to Ferguson. They also suggested other company employees faced prison sentences, with one allegedly facing eight years.
Fernandez, however, has "strongly disputed" the allegations concerning his conduct and the financial standing of vVoosh. He informed the BBC that certain concerns regarding former contractors and internal data/security matters were reported to the appropriate authorities and reviewed by legal advisors, but to his knowledge, no action was taken against him. Harry did not respond to inquiries about his involvement in royal security or Ferguson's personal security.
Alex, who worked at vVoosh for approximately six years as a contractor, was told to cooperate in exchange for "leniency." Shaken by the threats, he sought legal advice and subsequently filed a police report. The Metropolitan Police, however, decided not to pursue a case. Lawyers advised Alex that legal action for his unpaid fees would be more costly than the amount owed. Despite the police not bringing charges, Alex was arrested and interviewed for three hours in October of the same year regarding alleged email hacking, though no charges were ultimately filed. Alex believes Fernandez followed through with his threats to involve the police.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment on Ferguson's affairs, and the Met Police stated they could not comment on the case. Alex continued to receive letters from vVoosh's law firm until March 2018, alleging data theft and questioning his work quality, claims he denies. The BBC is not aware of any prosecutions or court cases stemming from this incident.
Alex also claimed that Ferguson was a frequent visitor to vVoosh's headquarters and that Fernandez presented himself as a regular visitor to Royal Lodge, Ferguson's residence in Windsor. Alex even stated that Fernandez was present at Royal Lodge for Christmas one year. Discussions reportedly took place about involving Ferguson's daughters, Beatrice and Eugenie, as spokespeople for the business, though the sisters' visit to the office did not lead to further action.
During one period, Alex stated that Fernandez went on holiday to the Mediterranean with Ferguson, leaving the company without leadership and unable to pay its invoices. Alex believes Fernandez used Ferguson's name when approaching potential investors and that she must have been aware of his business practices, asserting, "She must have known. If she didn't know, she was deluding herself, because she was there." He added, "When you spend any time with him, you know what he is like."
Ferguson's past associations have drawn scrutiny, notably her relationship with financier Jeffrey Epstein. It was revealed that she had called Epstein a "supreme friend" in 2011, following his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. US Department of Justice files indicated that Ferguson relied heavily on Epstein for assistance when facing bankruptcy in 2009.
vVoosh ultimately collapsed last year without launching any product. According to the administrator's report, the company had raised over £9 million from investors, including £1 million in government tax credits. Administrators are seeking to recover £324,609 from a former director, believed to be Fernandez, who reportedly disputes the claim. Reports suggest Fernandez has left the UK, possibly relocating to Italy, with company property found in a Rome storage facility owned by a former director, though deemed not worth recovering.
The administrators have submitted a report on director conduct to the Department for Business, in accordance with the Company Directors Disqualification Act. This situation raises further questions about the individuals Ferguson associated with and her awareness of how her connections were utilized by Fernandez.
Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has previously been linked to controversies regarding her business dealings and associations. The vVoosh venture, intended as a social networking service akin to Facebook, failed to materialize its product and ceased operations. The company's financial filings indicated Ferguson's stake of approximately 1% of the shares and a loan of around £50,000. The circumstances surrounding vVoosh's collapse and the alleged actions of its management continue to be a subject of scrutiny, particularly concerning the use of royal affiliations in business.
The former employee, Alex, detailed the alleged intimidation tactics, including the confiscation of his phone and the explicit threats of legal repercussions. He recounted the distress caused by the encounter, leading him to seek immediate police assistance. The subsequent investigation by the Metropolitan Police did not result in charges, but Alex's experience highlights the alleged aggressive management style employed by Fernandez. The administrator's report further details the financial complexities and the pursuit of funds from former directors, underscoring the turbulent financial history of vVoosh.
Fernandez's alleged use of royal connections extended beyond mere association, according to Alex's account. The claim that Fernandez presented himself as a frequent visitor to Royal Lodge and even spent Christmas there suggests a deliberate effort to cultivate an image of close proximity to the royal family. This perceived closeness was allegedly used to influence investors and employees alike. The involvement of Mark Harry, a security consultant, in the meeting further amplifies the seriousness of the alleged threats, portraying a coordinated effort to intimidate Alex.
The collapse of vVoosh, despite raising significant investment and receiving government tax credits, points to underlying issues in its management and operations. The administrator's ongoing efforts to recover funds from former directors and the submission of a report on director conduct indicate a thorough investigation into the company's downfall. The BBC's reporting, based on recordings and insider accounts, sheds light on the alleged misconduct and the potential misuse of royal affiliations within the business context.
Ferguson's past associations, including her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, have previously led to public scrutiny. Her reliance on Epstein for financial advice during a period of bankruptcy in 2009, and her description of him as a "supreme friend" in 2011, have been points of controversy. These past associations, coupled with the recent allegations surrounding vVoosh, continue to place Ferguson's judgment and business associations under a microscope.
The former employee's account of the threats and the subsequent legal and police interactions provides a detailed narrative of the alleged intimidation. The fact that no charges were brought does not diminish the impact of the experience on Alex, who felt compelled to record the meeting for his own protection. The ongoing dispute over the £324,609 owed to the company by a former director, believed to be Fernandez, suggests that the financial repercussions of vVoosh's failure are still being addressed.
Fernandez's alleged departure from the UK and the discovery of company property in Italy further complicate the situation. The administrators' decision not to recover the property suggests a cost-benefit analysis, indicating the potential difficulties in pursuing assets abroad. The report on director conduct submitted to the Department for Business signifies a formal inquiry into the actions of those involved in managing vVoosh.
The BBC's investigation into vVoosh and its associates, including Manuel Fernandez and Sarah Ferguson, highlights the complexities of business ventures that involve public figures and their associated networks. The allegations of intimidation and the alleged misuse of royal connections raise significant questions about corporate governance and ethical business practices within such enterprises.
