UK considers removing Andrew from royal succession line
The UK government will consider legislation to disinherit Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after police end their investigation into King Charles’ brother.
It would take an act of parliament to remove him from office.
Keir Starmer’s government will consider introducing such legislation after the police complete their investigation into him, the Press Association has learned.
Any change in the line of succession would require the agreement of other countries that share the UK monarch, including Australia.
Detectives UK, meanwhile, have called on the former prince’s past close protection officers to “carefully consider whether anything they have seen or heard is relevant to their investigation into pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his associates.”
The Metropolitan Police said it was also working with counterparts in the US to determine whether London airports were being used to “facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation”.
On Friday, law enforcement said there had been no new reports of alleged sexual crimes since millions of pages of documents related to Epstein were released by the U.S. Department of Justice.
This follows Andrew’s arrest on Thursday on suspicion of abuse of public office, where he was detained for 11 hours before being released under investigation.
The agency has previously said it was investigating claims Andrew’s bodyguards “turned a blind eye” to his visits to Epstein’s island, Little St James.
The police have not yet been able to detect any wrongdoing by the close protection officers.
Andrew’s main accuser, Virginia Giuffre, claimed he had sex with her during an orgy with “underage” girls on the Caribbean island.
The former prince has previously vehemently denied all allegations made against him.
“The Met is identifying and contacting former and serving officers who may have worked closely with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in a bodyguard capacity,” police said.
“They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they have seen or heard during their time of service is relevant to our ongoing investigations and to share any information that may assist us.”
Police have appealed to anyone new or with relevant information to come forward.
“All allegations will be taken seriously and, as with all matters, any information received will be evaluated and investigated where appropriate,” the statement said.
Searches are continuing at Andrew’s former home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor, Berkshire, following his arrest on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
She became the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history after being detained on her 66th birthday.
It is understood Thames Valley Police, who are investigating, have not yet received any “early investigation advice” from the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to the allegation.
The arrest comes after Andrew was alleged to have shared sensitive information with Epstein while he was Britain’s trade envoy.
On Friday, a helicopter carrying unmarked pickup trucks believed to be police vehicles entered and circled the Royal Lodge throughout the morning.
A police presence remained at Sandringham Estate but searches at Andrew’s Norfolk home ended on Thursday.
The arrest of the King’s younger brother made headlines around the world, including a photo of him looking haggard and exhausted in the back of a vehicle leaving Aylsham police station.
