Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor challenges search warrants in UK High Court
The former Prince Andrew has filed a legal claim in London's High Court contesting search warrants used at two of his homes. A hearing is scheduled for Thursday.
Ex-Prince Andrew fights search warrants tied to Epstein probe
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has filed a legal claim with the High Court in London challenging the warrants that authorised police searches of two of his homes earlier this year, ctvnews.ca reports. A judicial spokesperson confirmed the filing, with a hearing scheduled for Thursday.
The Daily Telegraph previously reported that Mountbatten-Windsor asked the court to determine whether Thames Valley Police acted lawfully when it searched properties near Windsor Castle and on King Charles III's Sandringham estate. The searches were carried out in February after Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office — the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal had been placed under arrest.
The allegations centred on claims that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the U.K.'s trade envoy.
Legal stakes
Attorney Mark Stephens, of the Howard Kennedy firm in London, said a ruling in Mountbatten-Windsor's favour could bar authorities from using evidence gathered during the searches in any future prosecution.
Stephens described Thursday's session as "a preliminary skirmish in the broader legal battle" and told The Associated Press that the move signals the seriousness with which Mountbatten-Windsor and his legal team are treating the case.
"I think that telegraphs that perhaps there's more of this to come," Stephens said. "And perhaps charges will be preferred down the road."
Police questioned Mountbatten-Windsor for 11 hours in February before releasing him under investigation — meaning he was neither charged nor exonerated. Thames Valley Police confirmed Monday that its investigation was ongoing and that the department was involved in legal proceedings over the search warrants. A spokesman declined further comment while those proceedings are underway.
Epstein ties and royal fallout
The allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor emerged after the U.S. Justice Department released millions of pages of documents from its investigation into sex trafficking by Epstein and his connections to a network of wealthy and powerful men. Mountbatten-Windsor's relationship with Epstein had already forced him to step back from royal duties in 2019.
As further details from the U.S. investigation surfaced last year, King Charles stripped his younger brother of his princely title in a move widely seen as an effort to protect the monarchy from further reputational damage.
Following the February arrest, Charles departed from the traditional "never complain, never explain" posture associated with his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, issuing a brief public statement.
"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course," Charles said at the time. "As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter."
Source: Google News CA — Crime (EN)