Police searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's former home on the Windsor estate continued on Sunday, as a government minister did not rule out a judge-led inquiry into the former prince's links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was premature to discuss such an inquiry while the police investigation was ongoing. She told Sky News: "We'll look at any sensible proposals that do come forward. But it's premature at the moment, because we do have the police doing their work."
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was questioned for 11 hours over allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy.
Senior Conservative MP Tom Tugendhat called for a parliamentary treason investigation, while others demanded Mountbatten-Windsor be removed from the line of succession. Royal sources indicated King Charles would not oppose such a move.
The search of Royal Lodge by Thames Valley police, which began on Thursday, is expected to conclude on Monday. Separately, the Metropolitan police is contacting former protection officers assigned to Mountbatten-Windsor, asking them to share any relevant information.
Former head of royal protection Dai Davies said it was "inconceivable" that the guards would not have information, and he called for a judge-led inquiry, stating: "For too long the establishment has taken us, the public, for fools."
