Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested this morning after police carried out a search at his home on the Sandringham estate as part of an investigation connected to allegations contained in the Epstein files.
Officers arrived at Wood Farm shortly after 8am. Witnesses reported six unmarked vehicles and around eight plain-clothed officers at the five-bedroom farmhouse in Norfolk. One vehicle approached via the main drive, while others were seen entering through a rear access point.
Several cars were observed leaving the property within about 30 minutes, including one believed to be transporting Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s security detail.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that a man in his sixties from Norfolk had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The force said searches were being conducted at addresses in Norfolk and Berkshire.
In a statement, the force said:
“As part of the investigation, we have today arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“The man remains in police custody at this time.”
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said:
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Investigators have been assessing claims that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor may have shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy. Officers have held discussions with specialists from the Crown Prosecution Service as part of their review.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the arrest. The King is expected to attend London Fashion Week later today.
At least eight other police forces are examining material linked to Epstein to determine whether further inquiries should be launched.
Metropolitan Police said it had made “initial inquiries” regarding royal protection officers assigned to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor.
Scotland Yard has also reviewed claims from a former bodyguard alleging that members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command developed overly familiar relationships with the former Duke of York during their duties.
Surrey Police has urged anyone with information relating to allegations of human trafficking and sexual assault dating back to the 1990s to come forward.
The National Crime Agency is working alongside police forces assessing the material.
Separately, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has been accused by Virginia Giuffre of sexual assault. It has also been alleged that a woman in her 20s was sent to Britain by Epstein for sex with him. He has denied the allegations.
Last year, it was alleged that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor asked a royal protection officer to examine the background of Ms Giuffre after she claimed she had been trafficked to Britain and forced to have sex with him. It was claimed he provided her date of birth and social security number shortly before a photograph of the pair was published in February 2011.
Scotland Yard said it had assessed the claims concerning the alleged actions of the bodyguard but found no “additional evidence of criminal acts or misconduct”.
In a BBC clip broadcast earlier today, before news of the arrest emerged, Sir Keir Starmer was asked whether Mr Mountbatten-Windsor should speak to police voluntarily.
He said:
“I think that’s a matter for the police.
“They will conduct their own investigations, but one of the core principles in our system is that everybody is equal under the law and nobody is above the law.”
More to follow.
This is an utterly disgraceful act by the Marxist governmemt to turn the country into a communist republic. Regardless of what any member of our royal Saxe-Coburg family is alleged to have done, it is an act of treason to arrest any of them. If King George V were alive today and still our ruling monarch, the chief constable of the Thames Valley Police would already be in the Tower of London awaiting execution for laying hands upon a royal person. This should all have been kept out of the yellow press, dealt with quietly, and the Duke of York rehabilitated, just as was done with the late Duke of Kent (RIP).