Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against Thames Valley Police over searches of his homes earlier this year. The former Prince Andrew is bringing action against the force over the searches linked to the Epstein files investigation, The Telegraph reports.
Legal challenge over search warrants
The King’s younger brother was arrested on his 66th birthday in February, prompting searches at his Sandringham estate home and at Royal Lodge, Windsor. It followed allegations revealed in US documents linked to convicted paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting that Andrew shared sensitive information with him during his stint as the UK trade envoy.
Now the royal is believed to have been given permission to challenge whether the police acted lawfully in carrying out the searches. His challenge is over the warrants that allowed officers to raid his temporary Sandringham home, Wood Farm, and the Royal Lodge, where Andrew had lived for more than two decades before his high-profile move to the Norfolk estate.
Judicial review application
Andrew’s application for a judicial review to the High Court is said to have been made earlier this year and was recently approved by a judge. Documents relating to Andrew’s legal bid could be released soon following a private hearing expected to be held in the coming days, according to The Telegraph.
A judicial spokesperson confirmed today that Andrew is taking legal action against TVP in a bid to quash the search warrants.
Police response and ongoing investigation
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police said in a statement to Metro: ‘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.’ Metro has approached Andrew’s representatives for a comment.
Following the Epstein file allegations and claims in the memoir by late Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, he was stripped of his prince and duke titles last year. The former duke and his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson were forced to move out of the Royal Lodge after intensified scrutiny of Andrew’s friendship with Epstein. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Epstein files released as part of the United States Department of Justice investigation documents suggesting Andrew allegedly shared confidential Asia reports and a note on an investment opportunity with the financier. Then came the high-profile arrest, which saw the former Prince Andrew being taken to Aylsham police station in Norfolk countryside for questioning. He is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Andrew has been excluded from public appearances with the royal family. King Charles, his older brother, is said to have invited Andrew to join the family on a holiday in Balmoral this summer, a friend of the former prince’s claimed.
