If Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor dared hope a police blunder would finally bring his Epstein nightmare to an end, a High Court judge has delivered a reality check.
The disgraced former prince may have won his argument that warrants used to search his homes were unlawful, but any hopes of derailing the criminal investigation have been dashed for now. Police will keep the documents and electronic devices seized during the raids, while the investigation into suspected misconduct in public office continues.
Unlawful Warrants Do Not Invalidate Investigation
Andrew, who denies wrongdoing, must have hoped the legal challenge would provide a way out of the scandal that has destroyed his royal standing. Instead, the judge made clear that unlawful warrants do not invalidate the entire investigation.
Police and the courts must be held to the highest standards, particularly when investigating allegations of such gravity. Their mistake was serious and embarrassing.
But Andrew remains subject to the same laws as everyone else. And whatever he hoped yesterday would deliver, the Epstein investigation is far from over.
Time for a Serious Hearing
Martin Lewis has built his reputation fighting for ordinary people, and his three demands ahead of this month's Budget deserve a serious hearing.
Millions of families are already struggling with the cost of living, yet rising energy bills threaten to pile on more misery. Extending the VAT cut and reducing standing charges would offer welcome relief.
Graduates, meanwhile, should not be punished by changes to student loan repayment thresholds that leave them paying more than they expected. And pensioners deserve clarity over whether modest increases in their state pension will drag them into paying income tax.
The Worst Ever?
None of these demands is unreasonable. All address genuine unfairness. The Chancellor has an opportunity to make a real difference to household finances. He should listen carefully to Britain's consumer champion.
Richard E Grant may have been the worst Traitor in the show's history, but he was certainly among its most entertaining. The excitable actor managed to betray himself before anyone else could. Banished in record time, he departed with trademark theatrical flair. A spectacular failure, perhaps.
But brilliant television all the same.
