London, Feb 19: UK authorities took Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor into custody on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking a significant development in the ongoing scrutiny of his past associations. Thames Valley Police affirmed that the arrest followed a thorough assessment of allegations related to his previous role as a government trade envoy. While the force did not officially name the individual in accordance with national guidelines, it is widely reported that the 66-year-old remains in police custody while officers carry out searches at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stated that the investigation was opened to address specific allegations concerning the misuse of public office. He declared that the police are working with various partners to investigate the alleged offense while maintaining the integrity of the legal process. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time,” Wright noted.
The arrest comes after the release of documents by the U.S. Congress earlier this year, which brought new attention to the former royal’s links with Jeffrey Epstein. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer affirmed the principle of legal equality during a recent interview, stating that nobody is above the law. He asserted that any individual with relevant information has a duty to come forward to assist the authorities in their inquiries.
Buckingham Palace previously maintained that it stands ready to support any police investigation into the matter. A spokesperson for the palace affirmed that King Charles III has expressed profound concern regarding the allegations that have come to light. Although the former prince has consistently denied any wrongdoing, the Crown Prosecution Service noted that misconduct in public office is a serious matter that remains a focus of current law enforcement efforts.
