Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids ruled unlawful but investigation continues

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:44 · Archive

Search warrants used to raid two properties belonging to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have been ruled unlawful by the High Court, but Thames Valley Police says its criminal investigation into him remains active.

Mountbatten-Windsor had launched a legal challenge against the police over the validity of the warrants, which were issued by a judge at the Old Bailey in February. These authorised officers to search his residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge. At a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, Justice Hilliard confirmed that agreement had been reached between Mountbatten-Windsor and Thames Valley Police that the search warrants were unlawful. However, the judge stressed that the fact the warrants were quashed does not bring the investigation to an end or mean the whole investigation was unlawful.

Thames Valley Police acknowledged that the initial court decision to issue warrants under the specific legislation used was incorrect and therefore the warrants must be legally quashed. Legal proceedings are currently ongoing to decide how material seized during the searches will be managed and whether it can be lawfully retained in support of the ongoing investigation. The force said it remains investigating alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk and continues to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK's trade envoy. He was interviewed under caution before being released under investigation, and denies wrongdoing.

How it is being reported

• Raids on two of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties ruled unlawfulA criminal investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is ongoing despite the search warrants that allowed police officers to raid two of his properties being ruled unlawful, the High Court has heardThe National · 8 Oct, 15:05
• Criminal probe into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor continues despite raids being ruled unlawfulThe former Duke of York launched a legal challenge against police e over the lawfulness of the warrants issued by a judge, allowing officers to raid his Sandringham Estate residence and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge,Daily Record · 8 Oct, 14:50

In this story: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor · Thames Valley Police · Jeffrey Epstein · Royal Lodge · Sandringham Estate

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