Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been arrested at his home in Norfolk, England. Here is what we know so far:
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating the former prince’s dealings with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He was released under investigation on Thursday evening and Thames Valley police said searches in Norfolk had concluded. Police searches at his former address, the Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, are continuing.
Photographs of unmarked police cars and plainclothes officers at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate were published on Thursday morning.
Prosecutors are yet to give advice to the Thames Valley police investigation that has led to the king’s brother being arrested. The Crown Prosecution Service authorises criminal charges in England and Wales. A spokesperson confirmed it was yet to advise detectives.
King Charles expressed his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his younger brother but said the “law must take its course” and police had his “full and wholehearted support and cooperation”.
Virginia Giuffre’s family said in a statement that Andrew’s arrest showed “no one is above the law”. They said: “On behalf of our sister, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley police in their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.” Giuffre, who died last year, accused Mountbatten-Windsor of sexually abusing her when she was 17 as part of a sex trafficking ring run by Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell – allegations the former prince has denied.
The arrest came as Mountbatten-Windsor celebrated his 66th birthday at home.
Police had been assessing allegations that the former prince shared sensitive information with Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy.
Thames Valley police said in a statement on Thursday evening: “On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrested man has now been released under investigation.”
