Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: Police issue update on Royal Lodge search after minister calls ex-duke ‘arrogant and entitled’

Jeffrey Epstein may have played a role in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor becoming UK trade envoy, a shadow minister has suggested, after the government agreed to release explosive documents about his appointment.

On an unprecedented day in Parliament when MPs from all sides lined up to admonish the former prince, Business Secretary Sir Chris Bryant described Mr Mountbatten-Windsor as “a rude, arrogant and entitled man who cannot distinguish between the public interest he claims to serve and his own private interest”.

MPs unanimously backed a motion to release files relating to his appointment to the trade envoy role, and approved it without a vote after the government backed Liberal Democrat-led calls for documents to be released, including any reviews and correspondence from Lord Mandelson.

Political correspondent for The Independent Millie Cooke There is this report:

One man was filmed by Reuters photographer Phil Noble hanging a photo of the former prince in a Paris museum after Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation.

It’s been 90 years since a British royal was disinherited. This could happen again, as the British government has said it will consider making legal changes to officially remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal family list for the throne.

Even though he was stripped of his princely status last October over his close ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, King George III is still a king. Charles’ younger brother, the former Prince Andrew, is eighth in line to become a monarch.

The process of removing him from the line of succession could take a long time, experts say, because it requires the participation of about a dozen countries that also name the British monarch as head of state.

However, momentum for change appears to be building after police arrested Mountbatten-Windsor last week on suspicion of abuse of public office.

So how will removing him from the line of succession work? You can read more below:

A spokesman for the country’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, said: “If the UK government proposes removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, New Zealand will support this.”

Police have said any updates to their investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s alleged misconduct are “unlikely to occur for some time”.

In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, Thames Valley Police said officers had concluded searches at Royal Lodge and would continue to investigate the allegations.

“It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to further their work,” Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said.

“We will provide updates when appropriate, but this is unlikely to happen for some time.”

Police have confirmed that searches at Royal Lodge have been completed following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

In a statement, officers said: “Thames Valley Police can confirm that searches in Berkshire in connection with its investigation into public misconduct have now ended.”

Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Officers have left the location we were searching for in Berkshire. This brings to an end a search operation that began after we arrested a man in his sixties in Norfolk on Thursday.”

“We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation is ongoing.

“It is important that our researchers are given the time and space to advance their work. We will provide updates when appropriate, but this is unlikely to happen for some time.”

Future monarchs William and Kate will need to clarify their vision for the institution, which some have described as the worst crisis in 90 years, to rebuild public trust.