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King Charles makes 'deep concern' statement after Andrew arrest
King Charles III has released a statement following the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Andrew was arrested earlier this morning following investigations into misconduct in public office, in relation to Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew, who was stripped of all Royal titles, continues to deny any wrongdoing.
King Charles III issues statement
King Charles has issued a statement following the arrest of his brother.
"I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office," the King said, via Sky News.
"What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.
"In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.
"Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter.
"Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R."
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What is Andrew charged with?
Andrew has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, a serious charge that raises questions about the abuse of power by public officials. So, what exactly does this offence mean?
According to the Crown Prosecution Service, misconduct in public office occurs when there is a "serious wilful abuse or neglect" of the powers that come with holding a public office.
In simpler terms, it's about public officials misusing the authority entrusted to them for personal gain or in a way that harms others.
Joshua Rozenberg, a well-known legal commentator, spoke to Sky News about the unusual nature of this offence.
He pointed out that it wasn't created by parliament, but instead, it has been shaped by the courts over time. "For that reason, there isn't actually a maximum penalty at all. It's life imprisonment because parliament has never actually set a maximum," Rozenberg explained.
The complexity surrounding this offence has led to calls for reform. The government is currently working on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, a new piece of legislation aimed at redefining how misconduct in public office is dealt with.
Rozenberg noted that this bill is making its way through parliament, and part of its focus is to clarify the legal framework for public office misconduct.
One of the key provisions of the proposed bill is that a person would be committing an offence if they use "their office to obtain a benefit, whether for themselves or somebody else, or to cause somebody else to suffer a detriment."
This change seeks to modernize the law, ensuring that public officials understand the consequences of abusing their power, while also ensuring that the legal system is better equipped to hold them accountable.