Unidentified British royal denies blackmail claims in trial

LONDON—A British royal allegedly blackmailed over a claim that he had sex with an aide at a party said Tuesday that the accusation was false, according to a statement read in court.

The royal's name was being kept secret to protect his identity. He said he was aware of comments allegedly made in the video by his aide -- identified in court only as "Witness D" -- but said they were untrue, according to the statement.

"As far as these comments, attributed to 'D,' about my personal and professional life are concerned, I can only say they are spurious and without foundation," he was quoted as saying.

Ian Strachan, 31, and Sean McGuigan, 41, are charged with demanding money from the royal to hand over video and audio recordings containing a claim that he engaged in a sex act with another man. Both men deny blackmail, which carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison.

They were arrested Sept. 11 in a police sting operation at a London hotel.

Buckingham Palace has refused to comment on the case, but British media have reported that the alleged blackmail target is not a senior member of the family.