Fergie's dad rose to her defense Tuesday, saying his daughter is being viciously persecuted but will never give up custody of her two daughters or live in exile outside Britain.
The Sun tabloid had reported that Queen Elizabeth II has offered to settle her former daughter-in-law's estimated $7.5 million debts and pay for her to live abroad if she surrenders custody of Princess Beatrice, 8, and Princess Eugenie, 6, her ex-husband, Prince Andrew.Ronald Ferguson - father of Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York - told Sky News television Monday night: "I think it's nothing but a really unnecessary, vicious persecution."
Asked if the duchess would ever give up her children, Ferguson replied emphatically: "No, of course not - simple answer."