What are police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for and what happens next?

Police are continuing to investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he was arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office earlier this year.

Detectives questioned the former prince in February following allegations he shared confidential information with pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as UK trade envoy.

Officers searched two properties linked to the former Duke of York – the Royal Lodge in Berkshire and Wood Farm, his current home on the Sandringham estate – and discreetly interviewed Mr Mountbatten-Windsor. He was later released under investigation.

On Friday, Thames Valley Police (TVP) officers urged a woman who claimed she was sent to England by Epstein to have sex with then-Prince Andrew to come forward and speak to investigators.

The force is understood to consider allegations of sexual misconduct among the “many forms” that misconduct in a public office (MIPO) investigation can take.

A source said the investigation was being conducted “from a broad perspective” and that “all aspects” of the crime would be considered.

What is misconduct in public office?

MIPO is a criminal offense involving the intentional serious abuse or neglect of the powers or responsibilities of public office.

These may include corruption, perversion of the course of justice, financial abuse and sexual misconduct.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of MIPO following allegations that the UK leaked sensitive financial information obtained by Epstein while he was serving as trade envoy.

However, police have since made it clear that their investigation will include all aspects of MIPO, based on the evidence they have received.

A source said police feared people believed the investigation was focused solely on possible financial crime, but this “couldn’t be further from the truth”.

“It covers many others, including misconduct in public office, sexual offences, fraud, corruption, perverting the course of justice and many others,” they added.

“We have a much broader perspective. We are investigating all aspects and will go where the evidence takes us.”

TVP officers issued an appeal to a woman who claimed she was flown to the UK by Epstein for “sexual encounters” with the former prince in 2010, saying her “doors are always open” for her to come forward and speak to investigators.

TVP deputy chief constable Oliver Wright, responsible for crime and criminal justice, said: “For the victims and survivors of Epstein, we hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward and I really want to emphasize that our door is open.”

What happens next?

Officers said their investigation would be “complex” and likely to take a long time as MIPO was “a crime that can take many different forms”.

In order to initiate a prosecution, detectives must first be confident that they can prove that the suspect works for a public office; secondly, that the suspect had committed some form of misconduct; and third, that any alleged misconduct was directly linked to their position in public office.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) also says in its guidelines that there is “no simple definition” of public duty and that each case must be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

It is not necessary for bad behavior to constitute a crime in order to be taken into consideration. However, if deemed relevant, any action may be pursued through a separate investigation.

Police said they were continuing to evaluate all the evidence they received and emphasized that they wanted to hear from anyone with information on the matter.

Deputy Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Our investigation into misconduct in public office is ongoing. Misconduct in public office is an offense that can take many different forms, which complicates the investigation.”

“Our team of highly experienced detectives has been working diligently on a significant amount of information from the public and other sources. “We are committed to carrying out a thorough investigation through all reasonable investigative channels, wherever it leads.

“We would encourage anyone with information to contact us through normal non-emergency contact channels, such as Thames Valley Police.” online portal.

“I understand the high interest in this study, but please be patient as we continue to actively advance our research. We will provide further updates to the public and media when appropriate.”