Detectives investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are set to travel to the United States in the coming weeks to interview the family of Virginia Giuffre, according to The Times newspaper. Thames Valley Police (TVP) officers will speak with Ms Giuffre's brother and sister-in-law, Sky and Amanda Roberts.
Scope of the Investigation
It emerged in May that detectives are considering allegations of sexual misconduct within their inquiry into potential misconduct in public office. The legal definition of this offence is broad, encompassing sharing confidential financial information, financial misconduct, wilful neglect of duty, sexual misconduct, corruption, improper interference, conflict of interest, perverting the course of justice, dishonesty, fraudulent conduct, and misconduct leading to personal gain.
TVP detectives were concerned the public believes they are only focused on accusations that Andrew shared information while a trade envoy. However, the legal terms of the offence under investigation are much wider.
Andrew's Role and Controversy
Andrew served as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011, stepping down amid controversy over his friendship with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He received no salary for promoting Britain's business interests, but criticisms were raised about thousands of pounds spent annually on his expenses and travel costs. His resignation came in the same year he was pictured with his arm around his primary accuser, Ms Giuffre, who alleged she was trafficked to Andrew at the home of convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell. Andrew paid Ms Giuffre millions of pounds to settle a civil suit in the US in 2022, though he has claimed never to have met her.
Arrest and Ongoing Inquiry
Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on February 19 and interviewed under caution before being released under investigation. Searches were conducted at his former homes in Windsor and Norfolk. Detectives are working through evidence recovered during the operation.
A TVP spokesperson said: "Our misconduct in public office investigation is ongoing. We cannot go into specifics of the investigation, but we are following all reasonable lines of inquiry."
