UK’s chief prosecutor warns Royals like Andrew are not above the law
As Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces a police investigation over alleged leaks to Jeffrey Epstein, the UK attorney general has warned “no one is above the law”.
“No, of course not,” director of public prosecutions Stephen Parkinson said when asked whether the Royal family were above the law. He added that he had “full confidence” that the police would be independent.
It comes as Thames Valley Police investigate allegations that Andrew, as Britain’s trade envoy, shared secret reports with the pedophilia financier.
To talk Sunday Times, He said: “No one is above the law… It is my job to enforce the law and I do so without fear or favor and this is unaffected by the status of the individual concerned.”
Mr Parkinson’s warning comes as evidence of the former prince’s alleged affair with Epstein mounts and more revelations are released in the latest installment of the Epstein files.
Emails released by the U.S. Department of Justice show Andrew providing Epstein with official reports about his trips to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam in 2010 and 2011, when he was the government’s trade envoy. Trade ambassadors have a duty of confidentiality.
Thames Valley Police prosecution will investigate whether sharing this information constitutes misconduct in public office.
Lord Peter Mandelson, Britain’s disgraced former ambassador to the US, also faces police investigation over allegations he sent sensitive market-related information to Epstein while he was business secretary during the financial crisis.
The Metropolitan Police searched two of Lord Mandelson’s properties as part of the investigation.
Mr Parkinson told Sunday Times Misconduct in public office was a relatively popular crime for which a public official would be charged.
He said: “From my perspective, I do not see it as a difficult offense to prosecute because the essence of this offense is a gross breach of trust by someone discharging the duties of a public servant.”
If Andrew were to be charged following a new police investigation, he would be the first royal to be tried for a serious crime in modern times.
Last week, Prince William and Princess Kate spoke publicly for the first time about the ongoing revelations, saying they were “deeply concerned” by the scandal and their thoughts were with the victims.
