The Duke of York has spoken out publicly for the first time to deny allegations he had sex with an under-age teenager.

The Duchess of York apologised for her “serious lapse in judgment” tonight and admitted her financial situation is “under stress” after a newspaper sting showed her accepting money for an introduction to her former husband.

The Duke of York faced a knotty problem at the unveiling of a sculpture in New Zealand today to mark the 200th anniversary of the death of Admiral Horatio Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar.

Poor intelligence information may hamper any mission undertaken by Royal Marines in Afghanistan, according to their commanding officer.