Search warrants used in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids were unlawful, court rules

Judge makes ruling after former prince brought judicial review of operation linked to Jeffrey Epstein investigation

Andrew took legal action against Thames Valley Police earlier this year (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

A criminal investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is ongoing despite the search warrants that allowed police officers to raid two of his properties being ruled unlawful, the British High Court has heard.

Mountbatten-Windsor had launched a legal challenge against the force over the lawfulness of the warrants issued by a judge at the Old Bailey allowing officers to raid his residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, in February.

At a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, which Andrew did not attend, Mr Justice Hilliard said that “agreement was reached between the claimant and Thames Valley Police that the search warrants were unlawful”.

But the judge also said that “the fact that the search warrants were quashed does not bring an investigation to an end, or mean that the whole of the investigation was unlawful”.

And a Thames Valley Police spokesman said in a statement after the hearing that “the initial court’s decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was incorrect and therefore these must be legally quashed.

“Legal proceedings are currently ongoing to decide how material seized during the searches will be managed and whether we can lawfully retain it in support of our ongoing investigation.

“Our investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk remains ongoing, and we continue to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to effectively and fairly progress this investigation.”

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.

He was interviewed under caution before being released under investigation, and denies wrongdoing.