Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: New Zealand joins Australia in seeking Andrew’s removal from line of succession

The Independent’s crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin reports:

British police say Peter Mandelson, Britain’s former ambassador to the United States, has been released on bail after his arrest in the Epstein abuse investigation.

In a statement, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: “A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday 23 February and taken to London police station for questioning.

“This follows search warrants being served at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. We are unable to provide further information at this stage so as not to compromise the integrity of the investigation.”

January 30 – The US Department of Justice has released some of the two million Epstein files involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and other high-profile figures.

February 9 – Republic chief executive Graham Smith lodged a report with Thames Valley Police against Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for misconduct in public office following the allegations in the tranche.

February 19 – Thames Valley Police arrested Mr Mountbatten Windsor on his 66th birthday and launched an investigation into suspected misconduct in public office.

He was released after an 11-hour investigation.

February 20 – Thames Valley Police said searches in Berkshire, where the Royal Lodge is located, were continuing and were likely to continue until Monday.

February 23 – Retired civil servants told the BBC the then prince allegedly used public money for massages and excessive travel expenses.

A former civil servant told the broadcaster they had initially rejected a request to pay for “massage services”, but were overruled by more senior staff.

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office and accused of sharing sensitive information with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
• The arrest took place on his 66th birthday, when officers searched his home on Sandringham Manor before he was released under investigation.
• In his letter to Sir Keir Starmer, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that his government would support any proposal to remove Andrew from the royal succession.
• Mr Albanese acknowledged the legislation needed to go ahead fully, addressing “serious allegations” that Australians were taking seriously.
• Retired civil servants also claimed Andrew used taxpayers’ money for massages and excessive travel expenses while he was Britain’s trade envoy.

Nigel Farage said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor “appears to have done terrible things” but should not be “judged by the media”.

“Mountbatten-Windsor appears to have done some terrible things, but they have not yet been proven,” Mr Farage said.

“I don’t think we should allow ourselves to be judged by the media. I don’t think we should convict anyone or introduce legislation to parliament until the police have done their job and probably the courts as well.”

“I believe in due process and I believe people are innocent until found guilty.”

The Liberal Democrats will seek to force the public release of files on the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as trade envoy.

The Liberal Democrats will make a low-key speech in the House of Commons in a bid to force the Government to reveal information about Andrew, who served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

The motion will call for any investigation and the release of documents relating to Andrew’s appointment, including correspondence from Lord Mandelson.

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The public rightly want to know how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to represent our nation in a senior business role.

“The Liberal Democrats are introducing a binding motion to force the Government to come clean.

“We need to see investigation files, due diligence reports and correspondence to understand how this appointment occurred and whether glaring warning signs were missed.

“There is a much broader principle at stake here: no one, regardless of title or friends, should be beyond the control of Parliament.

“It is time to end the age of impunity, remove rules that inhibit scrutiny and debate, and ensure that everyone in public office – no matter how powerful – is properly held accountable.”