The Duchess of York could face a Home Office investigation after Turkey accused her of illegally filming an undercover television documentary.
The Turkish authorities have asked the Home Office to formally question the Duchess over her role in the ITV programme which exposed harsh living conditions in state-run orphanages.
The Duchess and her 19-year-old daughter Princess Eugenie went undercover for the documentary, which was aired last year.
The Duchess wore a black wig and headscarf to visit an orphanage housing 700 disabled children for ITV1's Tonight. The programme showed neglected disabled children who had been tied to their beds.
The Duchess is accused of breaking the country's strict privacy laws and could face four-and-a-half years in prison if convicted by a local court.
Turkish authorities have lodged a formal request for “mutual legal assistance”. The Home Office and Scotland Yard are discussing the matter and will decide whether the request should be granted.
The Duchess would initially be questioned by British police. She could only be extradited if she is accused of committing an offence which is punishable in both Turkey and Britain by at least one year in prison. It is unknown whether Princess Eugenie also faces questioning.
It is also unclear exactly what offence Turkey is alleging the Duchess has committed. Turkish social affairs minister Nimet Cubukcu said at the time: “It is very clear that Mrs Sarah Ferguson has bad intentions. She is obviously in a campaign to blacken Turkey's name.”
The Home Office has not commented on the matter. However an extradition attempt is unlikely to succeed as there is no equivalent crime under UK law.
At the time of the broadcast a spokesman for the Duchess said: “The Duchess has no political motivation. This is all about the welfare of children.”
Reader views (58)
Everybody has opinions and is ready to point the finger at Turkey continuously.
Cypriots, please look at the real events of 1974 and who funded and benefitted as a result of what occurred. I have been in Cyprus on your festival days and as a tourist was encouraged to watch the processions. I was horrified to see groups of school children some as young as 4 marching down the street shouting we hate the Turks kill the Turks. Turkey may well have tied people to beds what are you tying your youth to?
Alfred waited at Paris Charles De Gaulle Airport for 18 years wonderful human rights shown there by the French.
Ireland locked up its daughters for having sex or giving birth out of wedlock some of these people are still institutionalised as a result.
Priests abusing the young people from their parishes.
Turkey does have lots of issues but no more or less than any other country. Take a good look at your own country, the crime rates and the types of crime are sickening. The freedom allowed to predators and paedophiles through the internet whilst govenments stand back and do nothing to protect the vulnerable youngsters is far worse than witnessing 100 children tied to a bed in an orphanage.
I suggest Sarah Ferguson helps to clean up her own back yard before she looks at others and maybe everyone else with so many opinions about Turkey does the same.
The saying let he without sin cast the first stone comes to mind!!
- G, Manchester, England
N. K Rahmatullah "I'm ashamed of this Muslim country"
Turkey is a secular republic. Turkey isn't ruled by sharia law. The orphanage and the people working there have nothing to do with religion. Just like Austria isn't a Christian country, and Joseph Fritzl raping his daughter and fathering her children have nothing to do with Christianity.
- Turan, London
I say, go on Fergie and expose more of this cruelty of Turkey shame. I am ashamed of this muslim country if it is to go bye as such. Islam is strictly against this kind of behaviour to disabled and maybe orphanage children.
- N. K Rahmatullah, Barnet-London
What can you expect from the people who have illegaly invaded Cyprus more than 35 years ago and they are still holding 40% of it, living in other people's houses.."Human rights"!?! They dont even know the term. And this from the people who have the nerve to want to join the EU when they are still holding illegally a member state!!
- Nikos Stylianou, Nicosia, CYPRUS
But politics aside, understaffed hospitals, nursing homes and orphanages everywhere tie people to beds. It costs a packet to care for the helpless, whether too old or too young, and taxpayers don't feel they should be paying it. So these charges are thrown in the direction of the government without adequate resources to pay for it and then face public outrage when "bad cases" are discovered. Of course, raising taxes would produce far more, and much longer lasting, public outrage. I wonder how many of those writing nasties about Turkey have ever visited an Alzheimer's ward in a public UK facility? Turkey is a poor country of 80 million, but no more inhumane or evil than any other country, I reckon.
- D. Bridge, Blackfridge, Wopping, UK
"How would the British government feel if a foreign journalist came into England and secretly filmed the streets of England at 2am, then taking that footage and editing it so to depict England as a racist violent alcoholic nation with no morals or respect for themselves and foreigners" - Turan
Why would they bother - local reporters have done that already! Why would it have to be done "secretly" anyway?
- W R Stevenson, London
Illegal or not I have to say I am 100 per cent behind Princess Sarah Ferguson ( as she should be known) even without seeing the documenatry. Turkey should not be allowed into the EU until they have changed their appalling human rights record.
- Dj Strimmer, East Dulwich
David Crocket asks "Can we not take Turkey to the European court of human rights?"
How? Turkey has an Asian culture, an Asian way of life, Asian values, an Asian religion, whose people speak an Asian language, living in a country which is 85% in Asia.
Conclusion: it's NOT European!
- Croyboy, Croydon
There are things about Fergie that annoy me, much like others posting here (her 'title' for one) - but I will never forget that she was the first person of note with the bottle to show up when the IRA attacked the military hospital in Northern Ireland. She was totally unaffected in her approach to everyone she met and I will admit, much to my surprise, she impressed me when I saw her there. She may be any of the things people here accuse her of, but she has courage and she cares about others.
How many of the keyboard snipers here can have the same said of themselves?
- Rogan, Irving
theres a saying in turkey! A TURKS BEST FRIEND IS NOTHING OTHER THEN A TURK...that was just one orphanage what about the others?
- Kc, London boy
'Turan', from the gist of what you are saying, let me translate what you have stated: Let's ignore the conditions shown up in the documentary, put aside the children, and deal with the threat to the image of Turkey".
Even IF it was done with political intentions, there is no denying that the situation exists, and needs to be dealt with first and foremost. Having said that, if any political intentions were intended, they would have been favouring Turkey; have you not heard how pro-Turkey the UK government is?
'Doukani', I agree; what are a few children to them compared to the millions of Armenians and Greeks killed in their hands? [By 'them' I refer to the Turkish government, not the people].
- Jon, London
the EU and all the European must realize without Turkey,they will be at the mercy of Russians to freez up or not during wither, Turkey offers an alternative routs to oil and gas from Central asia, iran and the arab countries, come on Europe wake up and smell the coffee.
- Helen, canada, toronto
Doukani;
The European Union has said that Turkish acceptance of the Armenian genocide is not a condition for entry into Europe. Not excepting the tragedies as genocide is not a threat to Turkeys unity or future.
Anyway the Genocide is based on hearsay, blogs and newspaper clippings. Newspaper clippings from countries Turkey was up against during its war of independence. So moving on to 1 million Greeks dead!!? Waaaa? It's so obvious you have a grudge against Turkey. Maybe you're a Manchester United supporter and have somehow confused Lady Fergie with Sir Alex Fergie.
- Turan, London
Shouild some politicians in Europe and here in the UK get their way, those standards for disabled children are likely to cross the borders with the hoards of freeloaders that will head here.
It seems the first thing newly arrived families do after learning the short cuts to a state financed home and money is to knock out a child a year. Just look for yourselves.
The borders are pointless now if you live in the UK. We need a touch of the Italian solution with gypsy camps.
Funny how their interprtation of EU laws are so much stronger than our politician's.
Only Fergie knows her true intentions and with Prince Andrew having nothing to do 365 days/year, I feel confident he will find a string to pull somewhere.
- Ken.H, Harrow. UK
Has everyone seen Midnight ExXpress? Now THAT's a real eye-opener as to what happens in Turkey. Shocking!
- Haskey, London SE1
Turan, many years ago I watched night-time fighting in Northern Ireland on a Spanish TV station. It had footage I had never seen before and not since - heavy machine gun fire and the use of armoured cars with light artillery. So, yes, I felt uncomfotable about the way things were being done but I didn't blindly leap to defend the country for doing so when it was so evidently in the wrong.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
Much as I love Turkey - I lived there and married a Turk - I don't want the country in the EU. Why? for the simple reason that hundreds of thousands of Turks will finish up in grossly overcrowded Britain. The best solution for Turkey is to stay as she is, with military rule input which has contained radicalism and will continue to do so. Once in the EU - which I wish with all my heart we were not in - the lefties and liberal destroyers will make sure that Turkey becomes as soft and consequently as wrecked as the rest of Europe.
- Judith C, London, UK
You clearly miss the point Turan. If anyone came from Turkey to film areas not classified as security risks, then we wouldn't be hysterically calling for their extradition to put them on trial in this country.
Britain has a very long tradition of washing its dirty linen in public. That's what has advanced us in civic welfare and civic responsibility. (It's partly what makes foreigners want to come here). All the time, programme makers here carry out secret filming in our hospitals, institutions etc., with the intention of creating better conditions and with a view to social reform. I'm quite sure that foreign film makers have come here and filmed TV stories detrimental to Britain. In the past, some former communist countries showed highly biased films against British life, and the west. As we did them.
You and your country's over-sensitivity in wanting to hide and cover up the bad goings on, are what makes Turkey a very bad bet and unwelcome to the majority of ordinary people, in joining the EU.
- Mark, London
As a turk I felt very ashamed about the conditions shown in ITV documentary. I think intead of trying to extradite Duchess our Turkish ministers should try to give more attention to our hospitals and care available to her citizens.
Majority of the turkish population does not want to join EU and it is only the minority and the turkish officials aspiration to join EU.
I remember how bad the conditions are in turkish hospitals and you can not actually get proper treatment even if you are intitled to free treatment because first you have to go to doctors private clinic and pay about £40-£50 for just to say hello and after that you can go and see the same doctor in the hospital and start getting your medical treatment. How I know this because I had to go through it when my father was not well infact hospital would not even release the body unless we paid equivalent of £2000
How low can turkey get before its people decides to say enough is enough. as the current prime minester was only a accountant in istanbul about fifteen years ago and he could not even afford to employ any assistant. After many years as a mayor of Istanbul and now as a prime minester he is eighth richest statestmen in the world, What this tell you!
Ofcourse if you are the eighth richest satatesmen in the world you don't need to go to hospital with the rest of the population do you?
I can say is there a bribe culture in turkey? I would say yes
Is there any violations of human rights intentionally? my answer is NO
- Metin, LONDON
Captain Black:
I doubt we have cases like those portrayed in Turkey?
What about all those stories of children and the elderly being abused here, did they have human rights laws behind them? Where are the human rights of all those abused children whose abusers are left to roam free and carry on abusing?
Again, the majority of Turkish people do not want to join the EU. If Turkey had a referendum they would vote No, in big bold letters and underlined twice. It's the EU that desperately wants Turkey to join, simply because it doesn't like the idea of Turkey uniting with it's fellow Turkic Nations and forming a country that would take Turkey all the way to Russian borders.
When Turkey is ready it will join Eu. You and me can do nothing about this. It's out of our hands.
- Turan, London
Come on give Sarah and even the crown jewells to pleas the Turks ,the barking dog of the Americans. Whats 700 children for them. They slaughter 6milion Armenians in1906 1milion Greeks in1920-1921 and god knows how many Kurds.This is the country that this Labour government wants to welcome in the EU because the Americans want them to be included so they can have the cosy arrangement of NATO troops are station there to protect the oil supplies and help Israel against the Arabs. Well done Sarah... I wasnt an admirer but now I am.God bless you.
- Doukani, herts
How would the British government feel if a foreign journalist came into England and secretly filmed the streets of England at 2am, then taking that footage and editing it so to depict England as a racist violent alcoholic nation with no morals or respect for themselves and foreigners, (its very easy to film this footage in any country in the world). Then airing this all over Europe just as FIFA delegates discuss England's bid to host a World Cup. Wouldn't this be an obvious smear campaign?
There are a lot of people in Turkey who do not want to join the EU. They have this idea of "A Great Turan" a secular unity of Turkic nations; Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan,Tajikistan, and the Uyghur Turks in China. I'm for Turkey to join the Eu, but sometimes after reading all this hypocrisy I think why bother.
- Turan, London
This is the latest in Turkey revealing itself to have absolutely no place in the European Union.
They have a poor record on human rights. I shudder to think of how much we all will be pulled backwards to match them if they were to be allowed to join.
- John Hanson, London
Turan:-
1. Two wrongs do not make a right. For all our failings, I doubt we have cases like those portrayed in Turkey.
2. When will the problem be eliminated? Powers in this country would have shut such a place down immediately.
3. I suspect that there isn't a great deal of desire in this country to have Turkey in the European Union, in any event.
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
So Mayor Johnson, do you still want Turkey in the EU?
- Darren, london
This is unbelievable, well done to her for being brave enough to do it. I think entry to the EU need sto be toughened up. We've already allowed a few in with scandalous records and an disgusting approach to the human rights of gay people. I think Turkey have just pushed back their entry by 10 years and I for one am glad. Lets focus on the children and the conditions they are living in, NOT the person who was smart enough to bring it to our attention! Do we ever have a spine and stand up for what we believe in?
- Dave, Madrid
Same set of laws apply here in England. Turkey has nothing to hide. Same as any other country in the world Turkey has its faults.
Mind your own business and focus on your own problems is what the Turkish government is saying. The Council of Europe visited these orphanages and necessary changes were being made to the system. European volunteers and charity workers were already in there to help. Sarah Ferguson's request to film was declined because of this, but she still went in undercover violating the Turkish legal system and constitution, and also abusing the trust of the charity workers. She bribed the charity workers with promise to pay donations to there charities, so they would accept her into the orphanage.
The orphanage problem was acknowledged by the Turkish government and was in the process of being dealt with. So the big question is why did she really want to make this documentary? Was there a political motive behind it? The video was aired to coincide with Turkey's application to join the European union. Isn't it blatantly obvious?
Sarah Ferguson is ill-intentioned and deliberately launched a smearcampaign against Turkey. She obviously doesn't want Turkey to join the EU, last time I checked that was a BNP policy.
She should stop hiding behind the "Oh I did it for the plight of the children" lie, and walk into the nearest police station to give a statement.
Hand her over or take her into questioning.
- Turan, London
I become more disenchanted with what goes on in other countries by the day. Turkey's attitude towards disabled children is loathsome and I don't care who exposed it, it shows how backward the country is and why they must never be allowed to join the EU.
I can never have any affinity with many of the countries that have been allowed in in recent years and Turkey is not the only country in which this attitude to the disabled prevails. The difference is that they are now members, reaping the benefits whereas Turkey is on the outside looking in.
- George, Cambridge UK
Turkey has no business in the EU...no business at all and I for one would never ever vote to let them in...but I'd certainly vote to send this wretched free loader and her ilk to join them...
- Mel Barrows., Tenerife. Canary Islands.
Dave, London, It wouldn't cost a penny. Phil's a greek isn't he. No love lost their then!
- Al, Kingstown UK
The Turks need to change. Start by abolishing the enslavement of children. If they find them a nuisance then get the children adopted. There are plenty of good people who would take care of them. Next Fergie will feature in the OK magazine. Whatever happens she makes money out of it and the taxpayer will still foot the bill for her protect as per usual.
- Ann, London
Tell Turkey to get stuffed...
- Mark H, London, England
LOL like that will EVER happen!
- Dirk Diggler, Soho, London
She did good! I think she was brave to go poking around the backyard of Turkey and expose this disgusting treatment of vulnerable people. It beggers believe why the Turkish authorities are giving her now a bigger platform to expose this lot. I think the Turks will have to be content with their Turkish Lira for some time.
- Tbear, Frankfurt, Germany
Yeah right!
- Seenitall, london
I bet she and her daughter stayed in the very best hotels at someone's else's expense. She is training her child to be as good at getting others to pay for her life as her mother is.
- Jilly, London
"She is obviously in a campaign to blacken Turkey's name."
Not really, your actions speak far louder than her words ever could, although I'm inclined to believe that the more freeloading Royals we can get rid of, the better.
- Bob, Cheam
If the Duchess is wrong about the Turks, they surely can defend themselves, if there is nothing to hide. There again, if there is, a complaint to H M government avoids all that nastyness.
Turkey for Europe - I don't think so but with this government, anything could happen in the next half hour!
- Captain Black Of The Mysterons, London, England
GREAT! Send her there - and spare us any more of her stupid television programmes where she is 'helping' deprived areas in Britain. All she's helping is herself, to huge fees. I hear Turkish jails are really really nice ... (anyone seen 'Midnight Express'?)
- Gabrielle, London
The first useful thing she has done.
Can you imagine what the European Union would be like if Turkey was admitted ?
- British Not Racist, Bracknell England
If it was an ordinary British person then they would be extradited but as usual, its one law for them and another for us.
- Thomas Hayes, Leeds UK
If they get banged up over there, think how much it will cost us tax payers for the other family members to pop over and visit them.
- Dave, London
The Turks need to look at themselves for the poor conditions they put these children in. Don't let them into the EU, it will just bring us down!
- Aria, South London
She has no case to answer..can you seriously imagine the uproar if the former Duchess of York was extradited..especially for an "offence" like this ?
- Jason Stone, Stratford, Newham
I hope this story is true. Extradite her and let's hope she stays there.
- Jb Sussex, hove sussex uk
Any chance we could persuade Turkey to take Beatrice and Andy as well ? Think of all those tax pounds this family gobble up that could be put to better use.
- Steve, London
I like Sarah and think she is well sexy, but that is beyond the point.
Anything that could be done to stop cruelty in any part of the world should be applauded. It is wrong and should stop, now.
- Rod, Epping, UK
Can we not take Turkey to the European court of human rights?, this is a sad way to treat children, and Turkey should be ashamed.
- David Crocket, Bradford, UK
She looks so awful she must have frightened the kids.
- Never Eat Tuna Again, London
Some of you are missing the point. Forget who she is. If this was a regular investigative reporter you would be very angry at the actions of the Turkish authorities. The questionshould be asked who in their right mind would have any sort of extradition arrangement with a country like Turkey?
- James, Braintree UK
And Turkey wants to join the European Union. They must be joking.
- Alex, London
For once Fergie has done some real good in exposing the plight of these children. Her other projects have been failures.
I think publicity seeking is motive for these projects but let her go ahead if it achieves some good.
- Terry, Ealing, UK
Extradite her to Turkey. A custodial sentence in a Turkish jail might limit her attention seeking stunts and freeloading at tax payers' expense.
- R.F., Yorks, UK
At least the Turkish authorities seem to be taking the privacy of hospitals seriously even if it is to save their own necks. Here we have a situation where hositals are fair game for newspapers and only today the photograph of a child in hospital is on a front page. The recent case of the 13 year old father also showed photographs of a child in hospital and we now know the real father was not present nor gave consent.
- Jack Spratt, Richmond, Surrey
No doubt audience figures - and overseas sales - will rise sharply because of all the publicity the Turkish government is generating!
- W R Stevenson, London
I'm no fan of the 'Duchess' who runs round the world using her dubious title as a licence to print money, but it's about time Turkey was brought to book for all their Human Rights abuses.
Social Affairs Minister Nimet Cubukcu should realise that Turkey doesn't need anybody else to 'blacken their name'; they are doing a perfectly good job all by themselves.
It makes a mockery of their aspirations to join the EU.
- Mark Myword, London
I had to re read the story several times and on different sites.
Shouldn't the Turks be ashamed for keeping the orphan children tied to their beds,
Where is the humanity in that?
- Mario Kempe, london
Bet she gets more protection by this Government from extradition than our hacker does.
The other side of the coin is, just think of how much we would save as taxpayers, not having to pay for her protection squad!!!
- Alan, carlisle uk
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