Epstein files: UK Police arrest King Charles III's brother Andrew
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London: The UK police on Thursday arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III, on suspicion of misconduct in public office following damaging allegations over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, PTI reported.
Thames Valley Police said they are carrying out searches at addresses associated with the former prince in Berkshire and Norfolk, while he remains in police custody. While the force said they will not be naming the arrested man, it is being widely reported that the arrest involves Andrew, who turned 66 on Thursday.
"Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office," said Oliver Wright, Assistant Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police.
"It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
"We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time," he said. In UK law, an arrest requires police to have reasonable grounds to suspect an offence has taken place and reasonable grounds for believing that it is necessary to arrest the person in question.
Earlier, when asked about the allegations against Andrew during his time as a former trade envoy in the then government's Department of Business over a decade ago, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told the BBC that no individual is above the law.
"Anybody who has any information should testify. So, whether it's Andrew or anybody else, anybody who has got relevant information should come forward to whatever the relevant body is, in this particular case, we're talking about Epstein, but there are plenty of other cases," said Starmer.
"Anybody who has got information relating to any aspect of violence against women and girls has, in my view, a duty to come forward, whoever they are.
