Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor becomes first senior royal to be arrested in modern history
The King’s brother was taken into custody on his 66th birthday following allegations made against the former prince after the release of millions of pages of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor became the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested on Thursday after he was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The King’s brother was held on his 66th birthday following allegations made against the former prince after the release of millions of pages of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
King Charles said “the law must take its course” after expressing his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his brother.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he has submitted a “five-page memorandum” to selected UK police forces which “provides new and additional information to that which I submitted last week”.
In response to the arrest, King Charles said: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
“In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
It is understood neither the King nor Buckingham Palace was informed in advance of the arrest.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to support the King’s statement.
Thames Valley Police previously said the force was reviewing allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein to have a sexual encounter with Andrew, and claims he shared sensitive information with the paedophile while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
The news of the former duke’s arrest came as pictures circulated online appearing to show unmarked police cars attending Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plain-clothed officers appearing to gather outside Andrew’s home.
Searches are being carried out at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, the force said.
Emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show the former duke sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
One email, dated November 2010, appeared to be forwarded by Andrew five minutes after being sent by his then-special adviser Amir Patel.
Another, on Christmas Eve 2010, appeared to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
The King’s brother is effectively no longer a royal, becoming a commoner after he was stripped by the monarch of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom late last year over his association with Epstein.
He does, however, remain in the line of succession – he is eighth in line to the throne, having gradually moved down after being born second in line.
According to the Crown Prosecution Service’s (CPS) website, misconduct in public office carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
A suspect can generally be held in custody for up to 24 hours, but this can be extended to 96 hours if an extension is sought at a magistrates’ court.
When the custody time limit has expired, the majority of suspects are either charged or released pending further investigation.
Before the arrest was announced, the Prime Minister told BBC Breakfast “nobody is above the law” when asked about Andrew.
Sir Keir Starmer added: “Anybody who has any information should testify.
“So whether it’s Andrew or anybody else, anybody who has got relevant information should come forward to whatever the relevant body is, in this particular case we’re talking about Epstein, but there are plenty of other cases.”
Providing its own update on the investigation into Epstein and his associates in the UK, the CPS said: “We are in close contact with the Metropolitan Police Service and Thames Valley Police regarding high-profile individuals.
“We remain ready to support any police investigations if needed.”
A number of police forces across the UK are assessing information released as part of the Epstein files document dump.
Officers from Surrey, Bedfordshire, Essex, Norfolk, the West Midlands, Wiltshire and Scotland have all said they are reviewing information.
On Wednesday, the Met said it was also looking at allegations Andrew’s protection officers turned a “blind eye” to his visits to Epstein’s island, Little St James.
The National Crime Agency said it was supporting UK forces in their Epstein files probes.
On Wednesday night, Police Scotland appealed for information about Mr Epstein’s use of Edinburgh Airport.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We have not received any report or complaint in relation to this matter. We would be keen to speak to anyone with information. We treat all reports of sexual crime, regardless of when the offence happened, with the utmost professionalism and sensitivity."
Scots former prime minister Mr Brown said: “I have submitted a five-page memorandum to the Metropolitan, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley and other relevant UK police constabularies.
“This memorandum provides new and additional information to that which I submitted last week to the Met, Essex and Thames Valley police forces where I expressed my concern that we secure justice for trafficked girls and women.”
Speaking to media in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, SNP First Minister John Swinney said: “The announcement in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor obviously relates to a live case and I don’t think it would be appropriate for me to comment upon that.”
But SNP Westminster Leader Stephen Flynn criticised Sir Keir for refusing to allow a debate on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the House of Commons.
Mr Flynn said: "These are very serious developments. It underlines why it was a bad misjudgement for Keir Starmer to block parliament from debating action against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as recently as October. The former Prince should have been stripped of his titles and roles as quickly as possible - it was a mistake for the Labour government to delay action.
"It also underlines why Keir Starmer must stop the delays and bring forward legislation as quickly as possible to remove Peter Mandelson's titles, peerage and his taxpayer-funded payout and pension. There is no excuse for further delays and inaction from the Labour government.
“Most important of all we must remember that it was the brave victims of Jeffrey Epstein that have shone a light on all of this. Without the bravery of these women much of this information may never have come to light. They deserve justice.”
The Scottish Greens said the monarchy should be abolished.
The party’s constitutional spokesperson Patrick Harvie said: “Everything we already know about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor strengthens the argument for republicanism.
“Some of the allegations that are already in the public domain are truly appalling and his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein was particularly indefensible. It is chilling that this is the man who spent decades as second in line to the throne, and who could so easily have ended up as Head of State.
“There is no case for hereditary rule in the 21st century. It is a ridiculous, antiquated relic of a system that flies in the face of democracy.”
He added: “Whatever happens in the months ahead, the case for Scotland to be a modern independent republic has never been stronger.”