Exclusive: Police Searches of Andrew's Homes Seek 'Treasure Trove' of Epstein Evidence
A retired Metropolitan Police detective has provided exclusive insight into how officers conducting searches of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's residences will meticulously examine every potential source of information. According to the former detective, police are determined to leave no stone unturned in their hunt for evidence related to the disgraced ex-royal's relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
Forensic Focus on Forgotten Devices and Correspondence
The searches, which began yesterday at Andrew's former Royal Lodge home on the Windsor estate, are expected to continue until Monday. Officers are specifically targeting forgotten mobile phones, tablets, laptops, and written letters that could contain crucial evidence. This operation follows Andrew's dramatic arrest on his 66th birthday, when police conducted an 8am raid at his new Sandringham home and held him for eleven hours of questioning regarding suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Retired Met Police detective Peter Bleksley explained that Andrew would have faced "forensic and strategic" questioning primarily centered on emails released as part of the Epstein files. Bleksley emphasized that investigators could spend days meticulously searching for old devices and correspondence, aiming to "turn over the stones that are found in the darkest corner and shine some light on" the situation.
Potential Evidence Sources Identified
Bleksley told reporters: "So many people have got an old mobile phone sitting in the bottom of a drawer that they stopped using many years ago. Those kinds of things could be a potential treasure trove of information. It could have been other means of communication other than the emails in the Epstein files."
He detailed what police are specifically looking for:
- Old mobile phones, iPads, and laptops that may have been discarded years ago
- Devices with broken screens or technical issues that haven't been used recently
- Potential paper trails including letters and written correspondence
- Evidence of text messages, phone calls, or WhatsApp communications
"They're looking for a whole raft of corroborative evidence," Bleksley added. "The investigation is going to be huge, no wonder it's being reported that they might be there until Monday. Not only is the property huge but the scale of the investigation is massive. Andrew's friendship with Epstein lasted many, many years so it's only right and proper that they turn over every stone."
Arrest Details and Processing Procedures
Andrew was arrested at 8:54am on Thursday and transported to Aylsham police station, approximately 55 minutes from his home. After nearly eleven hours of questioning, he was released around 7pm and was photographed appearing exhausted in the back seat of his car.
Bleksley revealed that Andrew would have experienced the standard arrest procedures, which he described as particularly humiliating for a member of the royal family:
- Electronic fingerprinting
- DNA collection via mouth swab
- Being read his legal rights
- Processing through the custody system like any other arrested individual
"The indignity for somebody like Andrew - where his fingerprints were electronically taken and a mouth swab for his DNA obtained - I'm sure it would've come as a very rude awakening," Bleksley commented.
Interview Strategy and Future Implications
According to the retired detective, police would have developed a detailed interview strategy before Andrew's questioning. The primary focus would have been on emails from the Epstein files, with detectives asking basic but crucial questions like "Did you send this email?" and "Did you know who you were sending it to?"
Bleksley noted that by releasing Andrew after eleven hours, police retained the option to re-arrest him in the future, as they still have at least thirteen hours of custody time available. "That will definitely have been part of the strategy," he explained, "and explains why they took him to a station close to his home so they didn't waste any time travelling."
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has vigorously denied any wrongdoing related to allegations of sexual misconduct and has not yet responded to specific allegations about his role as a trade envoy. Thames Valley Police confirmed last week that they were assessing allegations against the former royal but gave no indication they planned to arrest him at his Wood Farm home prior to Thursday's operation.
