Andrew search warrants quashed, UK police accept error
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UK police say search warrants they secured to search properties linked to King Charles’ younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were granted incorrectly and must be quashed.
Thames Valley police said its investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office, which relates to allegations the former prince Andrew sent government documents to Jeffrey Epstein, remains ongoing.
Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and said he regrets their friendship.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley police said in a statement: “The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court regarding the legal basis for these and is not a judgement on our ongoing investigation.”
Justice Nicholas Hilliard said that the Thames Valley police had made a significant error in applying for the warrant when they searched the properties of Mountbatten-Windsor.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office and police searched two of his homes.
His lawyers asked the High Court judge to invalidate the warrants under which those searches were conducted.
Hilliard said the parties had agreed to invalidate the warrants before the hearing on Thursday.
Mountbatten-Windsor was not in court for the hearing.
Stephens, of the Howard Kennedy firm in London, described the hearing as a preliminary skirmish in the broader legal battle.
“It’s the first step of Prince Andrew and his lawyers saying, ‘Actually, this is tainted evidence. It was obtained inappropriately,”’ Stephens said.
“Therefore it should be excluded from any criminal trial.”
King Charles stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of his princely title last year as he sought to shield the rest of the royal family from the continuing fallout from his younger brother’s links to Epstein.
with AP
Reuters