Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor sues Thames Valley Police over February arrest

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is challenging the legality of search warrants behind his February arrest at the High Court. A private hearing takes place Thursday before Mr Justice Hilliard.

Former prince takes High Court action over search warrants linked to Epstein inquiry

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched legal action against Thames Valley Police, seeking to challenge the lawfulness of search warrants that led to his arrest earlier this year, Sky News reports.

A private hearing is scheduled before Mr Justice Hilliard at the High Court on Thursday to determine whether documents connected to Mountbatten-Windsor's application for a judicial review can be made public. Thames Valley Police is opposing the application.

The dispute centres on warrants issued by an Old Bailey judge that authorised police to raid two properties: Mountbatten-Windsor's residence on the Sandringham estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge. Both searches were carried out in February. He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following revelations in the Jeffrey Epstein files, and was subsequently interviewed under caution before being released under investigation. His 66th birthday fell on the day of his arrest, 19 February.

A High Court judge has since granted him permission to pursue a challenge to the legality of the force's conduct during those searches.

The Daily Telegraph, which first reported the legal challenge, noted that it marked the first occasion a member of the royal family had contested the lawfulness of criminal proceedings brought against them since the trial of Charles I in 1649.

The allegations relate to the period when Mountbatten-Windsor served as the UK's trade envoy. He is accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein, a convicted child sex offender. Late last year, King Charles removed his brother's right to hold a princely title and stripped him of his dukedom in connection with that association.

Misconduct in public office is a broad offence that can encompass the sharing of confidential financial information, financial misconduct, wilful neglect of duty, sexual misconduct, corruption, improper interference, conflict of interest, perverting the course of justice, dishonesty or fraudulent conduct, and misconduct leading to personal gain.

Thames Valley Police said in a statement: "Whilst our investigation into misconduct in public office continues, we are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the central criminal court. As these legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

Mountbatten-Windsor has been approached for comment.

Source: Sky News