Major new update on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor police investigation | Royal | News
Police are reportedly considering using corruption laws to investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following his arrest. Separately, sources claim that police are also conducting a scoping assessment of sex trafficking allegations against the former prince. The disgraced former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office on his birthday last month, but was released under investigation 11 hours later.
It comes after documents in the three million dossier released by the US Department of Justice showed he may have shared confidential information with the convicted pedophile during his time as the UK’s trade envoy. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
On Wednesday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said police forces had pressured American authorities to release unredacted files on Andrew and were examining “all proposed sexual allegations” to determine whether any “deserve a criminal investigation”.
The Met chief said police in the UK needed “unredacted evidence” and the “original copy” to conduct an investigation there.
The official said that the police were examining documents related to the former prince’s period as trade ambassador, adding that any sexual allegations, such as those made by the late Virginia Giuffre, would be investigated if evidence was found.
Now, Sun He reported that police were considering investigating the 66-year-old under corruption laws. Sources told the publication that a separate scoping review was being conducted into the sex trafficking allegations against the former prince.
Sources also claimed police had “concerns” about whether Andrew’s job made him a public servant and whether he could prove it; because in order to file a lawsuit, it had to be proven that he actually abused his duty while performing his duty as a public official.
The publication added that detectives were allegedly working on “alternative laws” that could involve the use of “old anti-corruption laws.”
Dai Davie, former head of the Met Royalty police, told the press: “The police need to take into account every law and their enforcement.
“It’s not just Andrew they should be looking at, but also those who may have aided or benefited from his alleged actions.”
A total of nine police forces are investigating the links of US financiers to Britain, including those linked to the disgraced royal.
Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing, and being named in the Epstein files does not mean there was anything wrong.
The Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley police have been contacted for comment.
