Searches ongoing at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home following arrest
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor leaves Aylsham Police Station on Thursday night. Picture: REUTERS/Phil Noble
Searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home in Berkshire, England, are ongoing following his misconduct in public office arrest.
The former British prince was held in custody on Thursday following accusations he shared sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, who is the first senior British royal in modern history to be arrested, was held for around 11 hours on his 66th birthday before he was released under investigation by Thames Valley Police.
Read More
It is understood that Britain's Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) are yet to provide any “early investigative advice” to the force.
On Friday, a helicopter circled Royal Lodge in Windsor with unmarked vans, believed to be police vehicles, entering the grounds throughout the morning.
A police presence remained at the Sandringham Estate but searches of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's Norfolk home concluded on Thursday.
The arrest of King Charles III's younger brother made headlines across the world, including a picture of him looking drained and exhausted, slouched in the back of a vehicle leaving Aylsham police station.
US President Donald Trump described the news as “very sad” and “so bad for the royal family”.
Police have been reviewing allegations against Mr Mountbatten-Windsor after emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show him share reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore with Epstein.
One email from November 2010 appeared to be forwarded to Epstein by Mr Mountbatten-Windsor five minutes after he was sent it by his then-special adviser Amir Patel, while another the following month appeared to show Andrew sent a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand province, Afghanistan.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
It is understood that neither King Charles nor Buckingham Palace had been informed before the arrest on Thursday morning.
However, the British home secretary was alerted to the arrest shortly before Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody, it is understood.
Thames Valley Police denied briefing the Home Office before the arrest, but issued a statement from the National Police Chiefs’ Council to clarify that the NPCC did so.
After the arrest, King Charles released a statement, which is understood to have been supported by Prince William and Kate Middleton, saying: “The law must take its course.”
The family of convicted sex trafficker and Epstein’s former girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell said they were “astonished” at Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest, and called for “transparency” and “evidence”.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor became the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment in 2001.
He stepped down in 2011 amid the furore over his friendship with paedophile Epstein.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
