Searches at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former Windsor residence in relation to an investigation into alleged misconduct in public office have concluded, police have said.
Thames Valley Police (TVP) began searches of Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Berkshire, following the arrest of the former prince at Sandringham on what was his 66th birthday last Thursday.
Andrew was released under investigation after spending 11 hours in custody on suspicion he shared sensitive information with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he served as UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
He has always vigorously denied any allegations of wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.
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What is misconduct in public office?
TVP assistant chief constable Oliver Wright said: “Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case and our investigation remains ongoing.
“It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work. We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time.”
‘Rude, arrogant and entitled’
It comes after MPs officially backed the release of files relating to Andrew’s appointment as UK trade envoy.
On Tuesday, MPs unanimously agreed on the release without needing for it to go to a vote.
Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant insisted the government would release the files “as soon as is practicable and possible within the law” but said that any documents relating to the offence of misconduct in public office may be held back on the advice of prosecutors.
In a critique of Andrew, he called the former Duke of York “rude, arrogant and entitled” and described him as “a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle”.
Sir Chris spoke of his own experience of Andrew visiting his constituency, claiming the King’s brother had insisted on travelling to an event there via helicopter, “unlike his mother [Queen Elizabeth II], who came twice to the Rhondda and always came by car”.
“That is, of course, Mr Speaker, not a crime, nor is arrogance,” he added.
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Earlier this week, the governments of Australia and New Zealand backed plans to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.
Changing the line of succession would require the agreement of all 15 realms of the Commonwealth where the British monarch is also the head of state.
Only New Zealand and Australia have so far backed the move.
