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 his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said it was premature due to the ongoing police investigation.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was detained and questioned for 11 hours over allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
Calls have mounted for Mountbatten-Windsor to be dropped from the royal line of succession. Royal sources indicated King Charles would not stand in the way of parliament if it sought to ensure the former prince could never ascend to the throne. Phillipson said the government was not ruling anything out but would wait for the police to complete their work.
Former security minister Tom Tugendhat called for a parliamentary treason investigation, arguing the affair raised questions about foreign influence and national security. He suggested a special committee of MPs, peers and retired judges should investigate links between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein, as well as Peter Mandelson.
The Metropolitan Police said it was contacting officers who served as protection officers to Mountbatten-Windsor, asking them to consider if anything they saw or heard might be relevant. Former head of royal protection Dai Davies said it was “inconceivable” that guards would not have information, and called for a judge-led inquiry.
