High Court rules police raids on Andrew's homes were unlawful

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 8 Oct, 15:19 · Archive

A High Court judge has ruled that search warrants for raids on two of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties were unlawful.

A High Court judge has ruled that search warrants used by Thames Valley Police to raid two of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties were unlawful. The warrants, which allowed officers to search properties in Norfolk and Berkshire, were granted on 18 February 2026. At a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, Andrew did not attend, but Mr Justice Hilliard said agreement was reached between Andrew and Thames Valley Police that the search warrants were unlawful.

The judge stated that quashing the warrants did not bring the investigation to an end or mean the whole investigation was unlawful. Thames Valley Police said it accepts the court's position that the initial decision to issue the warrants under the specific legislation used was incorrect and therefore they must be legally quashed. The force said it presented all necessary information and paperwork to the court and followed correct legal processes.

Thames Valley Police said its investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk remains ongoing. The force stated that the agreement to quash the warrants relates specifically to the court's decision on the legal basis for them and is not a judgement on the ongoing investigation itself.

How it is being reported

• Police raids at Andrew's homes were 'unlawful' says High Court judgeThe search warrants which allowed Thames Valley Police raids at two of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties were unlawful, said a High Court judge.Oxfordshire Guardian · 8 Oct, 14:29
• Police raids at Andrew's homes were 'unlawful' says High Court judgeThe search warrants which allowed Thames Valley Police raids at two of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's properties were unlawful, said a High Court judge.Oxford Mail · 8 Oct, 14:29

In this story: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor · Thames Valley Police · High Court · Norfolk · Berkshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem