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UK3 min(s) read
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York and younger brother of King Charles III, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, police have confirmed.
The 66-year-old is currently in custody while officers carry out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, in what marks a dramatic new development in the long-running controversy surrounding his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
In a statement, Thames Valley Police said a 66-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and remains in custody. Officers are conducting searches as part of what they describe as an ongoing investigation. The force added that it is assessing information received in relation to the alleged disclosure of confidential material.
Photographs taken earlier today show vehicles believed to be police cars arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew has been residing in recent months. The complaint being examined reportedly concerns claims that confidential material may have been shared with Epstein, though police have not detailed the nature of the information at the centre of the allegation.
The arrest follows renewed scrutiny after the release of millions of Epstein-related documents by the US Department of Justice in January. While Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing connected to Epstein, he has not responded to requests for comment on the specific allegations said to arise from the newly disclosed files.
The Duke stepped back from public duties in 2019 following intense criticism after a televised interview about his relationship with Epstein conducted by the BBC and Emily Maitlis.
After sexual assault allegations were made against him by the late Virginia Giuffre, Andrew reached an out-of-court settlement in a US civil case in which he denied the allegations brought against him. Since then, he has not returned to official royal duties.
Despite the seriousness of the development, much remains unclear. Police have not said what specific information is alleged to have been disclosed, nor have they indicated when the alleged misconduct may have taken place.
It is also not yet known whether the investigation will result in formal charges, nor where he is currently being detained or if he has been interviewed under caution yet. An arrest on suspicion does not in itself mean that charges will follow, and investigators will now assess any evidence gathered during questioning and searches.
For the Royal Family, the situation presents fresh reputational challenges. Although Andrew no longer carries out official engagements, the fact that he is the king’s brother inevitably draws the monarchy into the spotlight once again.
What happens next will depend on the outcome of police inquiries in the coming days and weeks, as investigators determine whether the threshold for further action has been met.
