Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on his 66th birthday
Police arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of abuse of public office.
At least six unmarked police cars pulled into Wood Farm around 8am on the disgraced former prince’s 66th birthday.
Thames Valley Police said in a statement that they searched addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“As part of the investigation, we arrested a Norfolk man in his sixties today (19/2) on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk,” the statement said.
“The man is currently in police custody.”
Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have launched an investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office.”
“We understand the significant public interest in this case and will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Pictures circulating online on Thursday showed unmarked police cars at Wood Farm on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, with plainclothes officers appearing to gather outside Mountbatten-Windsor’s home.
There is no statement from Buckingham Palace yet.
In early February, Thames Valley Police said they were looking into allegations that Andrew had passed secret government documents to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to recently released files.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and said he regretted his friendship with Epstein, but did not respond to specific requests for comment after the latest files were released by the US government.
Mountbatten-Windsor was reported to the police by anti-monarchy campaign group Republic following the publication of more than three million pages of documents relating to Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from an underage child in 2008.
These files suggest that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded reports to Epstein in 2010 about Vietnam, Singapore and other places he visited on official trips.
– with AP
