Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested – what is sovereign immunity and will it apply to him | Royal | News

Six unmarked police cars were seen this morning in Wood Farm, where Andrew now lives. Police said searches are also continuing at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The maximum penalty for misconduct in public office is life imprisonment.

Sovereign Immunity is a legal doctrine under which a sovereign is immune from civil lawsuits or criminal prosecution.

In an unrelated response to a freedom of information (FoI) request, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) had previously stated that the monarch King Charles was immune from arrest in all cases.

“The king, as head of state, has sovereign immunity from both civil and criminal proceedings. This is a long-established rule of law, not statutory provisions.” England in a changing Europe.

This even applies to parking tickets. But there is nothing in the law to prevent Andrew from being criminally prosecuted and jailed because within the Royal Family, only King Charles has sovereign immunity. Andrew is also a former prince.

Simarjot Singh Judge, managing partner of Judge Law, explained that “former royal status does not provide immunity from criminal law”.

His Honor continued: “The criminal justice system applies equally regardless of title or previous position. The process will be the same for any other person.”

“The focus at this stage is whether there is sufficient admissible evidence to justify prosecution and that is a matter for investigators and the Crown Prosecution Service.”

Thames Valley Police said it would not name the man arrested in line with national rules.