Manuel Fernandez Threatened Ex‑vVoosh Contractor with Prison Using Royal Ties

Context Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, held about a 1 % share in the Shoreditch‑based start‑up vVoosh and loaned the company £50,000. The firm never launched a product and collapsed in 2022. Fernandez, a former soldier turned entrepreneur, was Ferguson’s close friend and business partner, often photographed with her between 2015 and 2017.

Key Facts In June 2017, Alex, a contractor who had worked for vVoosh for six years, received a WhatsApp message from Fernandez summoning him to an “urgent meeting at B Palace” because of “VIP shareholders.” Alex recorded the meeting after fearing for his safety. During the session, a security adviser identified only as “Mark” – later confirmed as former soldier Mark Harry – seized Alex’s personal phone, claiming it belonged to the company.

Fernandez then warned Alex that he was “deeply troubled” and could face two years imprisonment under the Computer Misuse Act, which criminalises unauthorized access to computer systems. He claimed the alleged hack jeopardised “royal security” and that other staff members faced sentences up to eight years. Alex denied any wrongdoing, explaining that a company email address set up for Ferguson was never activated and that incoming messages were routed to a shared inbox.

Fernandez later told the BBC he “strongly disputes” the allegations about his conduct and the company’s finances, adding that internal security concerns had been reported to authorities and reviewed by legal advisers, with no action taken against him.

What It Means The episode highlights how personal connections to the royal family can be leveraged to intimidate employees in private ventures. While the Metropolitan Police declined to pursue criminal charges, the incident raises questions about governance and risk management in start‑ups that rely on high‑profile backers. Watch for any legal developments involving former contractors or further scrutiny of Ferguson’s business affiliations.