Alleged blackmailers of royal named

Two men accused of attempting to blackmail an unidentified member of the royal family were named today.

Ian Strachan and Sean McGuigan, both from London, are due to appear at the Old Bailey next month. They allegedly threatened to release a video they claimed indicated that the royal had engaged in a sex act with an aide.

The pair were also alleged to have claimed they had footage of the aide snorting cocaine and evidence suggesting the royal had supplied the aide with an envelope containing the drug.

The case is the first alleged extortion attempt against a royal for more than a century.

The member of the royal family who was targeted has not been named, but the Guardian understands it was not a senior royal. Buckingham Palace has refused to discuss the case, saying it is a police matter.

Although a name was being circulated yesterday, a court order prevents the identification of the royal or any witnesses until any further order by a judge.