Men at centre of royal blackmail plot named

By Andrew Hough

LONDON (Reuters) - Two men accused of blackmailing an unidentified member of the royal family were named on Monday, as speculation intensified as to the alleged victim's identity.

The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed the two men at the centre of the plot, which involved the royal allegedly involved in a sex act with an aide, as Ian Strachan and Sean McGuigan.

Newspapers reported on Monday that Strachan, 30, of Chelsea, southwest London was a property developer and socialite who is originally from Aberdeen in Scotland.

McGuigan, 40, lives nearby in Battersea. His occupation has not been revealed.

The pair are due to appear at the Old Bailey in December charged with blackmail after they allegedly claimed they had a video of the aide performing oral sex on the royal.

While the royal family member cannot be named after a court imposed reporting restrictions, the Internet was rife with speculation on Monday.

Concerns have also been raised about the prospect of international media that are not bound by Britain's legal restrictions revealing the name.

Media reports said the person involved is not a senior member of the royal family.