Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been arrested at his home in Norfolk, England. Here is what we know so far:
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office by police investigating the former prince’s dealings with the convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
He is expected to be interviewed under criminal caution by detectives over the allegations of misconduct in public office. Police will have to decide whether Mountbatten-Windsor should be detained overnight, and whether to charge him with a criminal offence, release him while their inquiries continue, or take no further action.
Photographs of unmarked police cars and plainclothes officers at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate were published on Thursday morning.
King Charles expressed his “deepest concern” over the arrest of his younger brother but added that the “law must take its course” and police had his “full and wholehearted support and cooperation”.
Virginia Giuffre’s family said in a statement that Andrew’s arrest showed that “no one is above the law”. They added: “On behalf of our sister, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley police in their investigation and arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.”
A statement from Thames Valley police said: “We have today arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time.”
The arrest came as Mountbatten-Windsor celebrated his 66th birthday at home.
Police had been assessing allegations that the former prince shared sensitive information with Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy.
The Thames Valley police assistant chief constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”
