Manuel Fernandez Used Royal Ties to Threaten Worker Over Email Hacking Claims

Introduction

Sarah Ferguson's close associate and business partner, Manuel Fernandez, allegedly leveraged his royal connections to intimidate a worker with threats of imprisonment, according to a recording obtained by the BBC.

The worker, employed at Fernandez's unsuccessful lifestyle app company vVoosh, was warned that police would investigate him for purportedly compromising "royal security" by hacking emails.

Ferguson was an investor and served as an "ambassador" for the company, and Fernandez reportedly used this affiliation to impress both investors and staff, according to the worker.

Fernandez has "strongly disputed" allegations regarding his behavior and the financial status of vVoosh. Representatives for Ferguson did not respond to requests for comment.

Ferguson was frequently photographed with the Essex soldier-turned-businessman between 2015 and 2017, though she denied any romantic involvement, describing their relationship as "friends and business partners" in an interview with a newspaper.

Like many technology start-ups, vVoosh was headquartered in London's Shoreditch area. It aimed to launch a social networking platform akin to Facebook but collapsed last year without releasing any product.

Ferguson owned approximately 1% of the company's shares and had loaned around £50,000 to the business, as indicated in company filings.

Allegations and Evidence

Recordings, correspondence, and WhatsApp messages from a former insider at the company raise further questions about Ferguson's associations and her awareness of how Fernandez used and allegedly misused his royal connections.

The senior staff member, referred to as "Alex," worked at vVoosh for about six years. Like many colleagues, he was engaged as a contractor.

In June 2017, Alex received a WhatsApp message from Fernandez stating he had been summoned to "an urgent meeting at B Palace regarding the company because of the VIP shareholders." Alex was asked to meet Fernandez the following day.

The company was experiencing financial difficulties, and Alex was owed thousands in unpaid invoices. To protect himself, he decided to record the meeting on a mobile phone concealed in his jacket pocket.

At the meeting's outset, Alex's other phone was forcibly taken from him by a man identifying himself as "Mark," who refused to disclose his surname. Mark claimed the device belonged to the company but denied Alex access to his personal data stored on it.

"I was so scared because this guy was, like, three times my size," Alex told the BBC.

The BBC identified "Mark" as Mark Harry, a former soldier turned security adviser. Harry stated,

"I understand that this matter was handled by the appropriate authorities at the time. I strongly dispute the allegations made."

During the recording, Fernandez and Harry threatened Alex with imprisonment for allegedly hacking emails. While unspecified, the implication was that the hacked emails belonged to Ferguson. Fernandez accused Alex of violating the "Palace's confidentiality agreement." Alex denied any hacking, explaining that a company email account was created for Ferguson but never activated; messages intended for her were forwarded to a shared inbox.

Fernandez and Harry continued their threats. Fernandez said Alex was "in so deep… he has no idea" and in a "world of pain," facing up to two years in jail for breaches of the Computer Misuse Act. They alleged that other company employees were involved in the hacking and faced prison sentences, with one reportedly facing eight years.

Fernandez told the BBC,

"I strongly dispute a number of allegations that have been made concerning both my conduct and financial position in relation to the company. Certain concerns regarding former contractors and internal data/security matters were previously reported to the appropriate authorities and reviewed by legal advisers. To my knowledge, no action was taken against me arising from those allegations."

Fernandez did not disclose Harry's full name during the meeting, only stating that he represented "some certain VIPs." Harry asserted,

"The Palace… will not stand for it, OK? The Palace don't investigate it, or should I say we don't investigate it, that is done by Scotland Yard. And I tell you now it then becomes number one priority."

Harry accused Alex of endangering,

"the integrity and the security of our royal family and any other associated VIPs in jeopardy."

Harry did not respond to the BBC's inquiries regarding his involvement in royal or Ferguson's security. Following her divorce from Andrew, Ferguson held no official royal role.

Alex was advised to cooperate in exchange for "lenience" but expressed his intention to seek legal counsel.

After the meeting, Alex was visibly distressed; a passing police officer noticed and asked if he was alright. Alex recounted,

"I was just standing in the street crying because I had just been threatened, you know? I didn't know what to do."

Legal Proceedings and Aftermath

Alex filed a police report, but the Metropolitan Police decided not to pursue a case. Legal advisors informed him that pursuing unpaid fees through legal action would be more costly than the amount owed.

However, in October of the same year, Alex was arrested and interviewed for three hours concerning alleged email hacking. No charges were filed. Alex believes Fernandez followed through on his threat to involve the police.

The Metropolitan Police declined to comment, and Buckingham Palace stated it could not comment on Ferguson's personal affairs.

Alex continued receiving letters from vVoosh's legal representatives alleging data theft and questioning his work quality until March 2018. He denies these claims, and no further legal action ensued. The BBC is unaware of any prosecutions or court cases arising from this matter.

Ferguson's Involvement and Company Dynamics

Alex stated that Ferguson was a frequent visitor to vVoosh's headquarters and that Fernandez claimed regular visits to Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor mansion where Ferguson resided with her former husband Andrew. Alex also claimed Fernandez was present at Royal Lodge during Christmas one year.

Discussions took place about inviting Beatrice and Eugenie, Ferguson's daughters with Andrew, to serve as spokespeople for the company. The sisters did visit the office, but the plan did not progress further, according to Alex.

At one point, Fernandez went on a Mediterranean holiday with Ferguson, leaving the company without leadership and unable to pay invoices.

Alex believes Fernandez used Ferguson's name when approaching potential investors and that she must have been aware of his management style. He stated,

"She must have known. If she didn't know, she was deluding herself, because she was there. When you spend any time with him, you know what he is like."

Background on Ferguson's Associations

Ferguson's friendships with men have historically been sources of controversy and embarrassment.

Her association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein caused particular scandal when it emerged in 2023 that she had referred to him as a "supreme friend" in 2011, following his conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor.

Documents published by the US Department of Justice revealed that Ferguson heavily relied on Epstein's assistance during her bankruptcy proceedings in 2009.

vVoosh's Collapse and Financial Issues

vVoosh collapsed last year without ever launching a product. The administrator's report indicated the company had raised over £9 million from investors, including £1 million in government tax credits.

Administrators are pursuing a former director, believed to be Fernandez, for £324,609, which they claim he owes the company, though the matter remains disputed.

Fernandez is believed to have left the UK, with reports suggesting he relocated to Italy. Company property was recently found in a storage facility in Rome, owned by a former director, according to the latest administrators' report. The property was deemed not worth recovering.

The administrators also submitted a report on the directors' conduct to the Department for Business under the Company Directors Disqualification Act.