Police statement in full as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office and is in police custody.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest on Thursday following allegations against the former prince following the publication of millions of pages of dossiers on pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew is the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history.
The news came as images circulated online showing unmarked police cars heading to Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and plainclothes officers gathering outside Andrew’s home on his 66th birthday.
Thames Valley Police previously said police were investigating allegations that a woman was trafficked to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein to have sex with Andrew and claimed she shared sensitive information with the pedophile while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Police said searches were continuing at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
Emails released by the US Department of Justice show the former Duke sharing reports about official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
An email dated November 2010 was revealed to have been forwarded by Andrew five minutes after it was sent by his then special counsel Amir Patel.
Another, on Christmas Eve 2010, appeared to have sent a secret briefing to Epstein about investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.
Thames Valley Police’s full statement:
“As part of the investigation, we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk today (19/2) on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“The man is currently in police custody.
“In line with national guidance, we will not be naming the man arrested. Please also note that this case is currently active and therefore caution should be exercised in any publication to avoid contempt of court.”
“ Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: ‘Following a thorough assessment, we have launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.
“’It is important that we maintain the integrity and impartiality of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged crime.
“’We recognize the significant public interest in this case and will provide updates at the appropriate time.’”
