Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor released after 12 hours in custody
Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor leaving the Aylsham police station in Norfolk, Feb. 19 (Photo: REUTERS/Phil Noble)
Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew,
was released nearly 12 hours after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in
public office in relation to Jeffrey
Epstein, Sky News reported
Feb. 19 evening.
He left Aylsham police station in Norfolk after being released under investigation, police said.
“We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded,” the force said in a statement quoted by the BBC.
Police earlier confirmed they had arrested a 66-year-old man in the morning of Feb. 19 in connection with an inquiry into alleged abuse of public office. Officers did not name the person arrested, but the BBC and other UK media reported the suspect was Andrew Mountbatten–Windsor, the brother of King Charles III. Journalists said police vehicles without markings were seen at Sandringham, where Andrew moved after he was evicted from the Royal Lodge.
The King released a statement pledging “full and wholehearted support and co-operation” to law enforcement in their investigation.
“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” the statement said.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
Under UK law, a suspect can be held for a maximum of 96 hours with repeated extensions approved by police and a magistrates’ court, though most suspects are held for 12 or 24 hours and are then charged or released while inquiries continue.
The arrest is linked to allegations first reported by media
on Feb. 9 that Andrew, then a government trade envoy, may have sent official
trip reports to U.S. sex offender and financier Jeffrey Epstein in 2010 and
2011. Reports say that on Oct. 7, 2010, Andrew sent information about upcoming
official visits to Singapore, Vietnam, Shenzhen, and Hong Kong, during which he
was accompanied by business associates of Epstein. On Nov. 30, 2010, he
allegedly forwarded official reports of those visits to Epstein.
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