Andrew arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
On Thursday, Thames Valley Police reported that it had arrested a man in his 60s in Norfolk and was searching for addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. He remains in custody, it said.
On Thursday morning, what seemed to be unmarked police cars were seen at Sandringham, the King's Norfolk estate, where the former prince has been living since leaving his house in Berkshire.
Police had previously announced that they were looking at investigating Andrew for allegations relating to his alleged links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's relationship.
Since the US government's files were shared between the two parties, they were investigating reports that Andrew shared confidential information with the disgraced financier.
This is the first time Andrew has been arrested. He has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
A formal probe had been launched in Thames Valley Police following a thorough investigation,
according to police.
It also stated in February that it was investigating a separate allegation that a second woman was sent to the United Kingdom by Epstein in 2010 for a sexual encounter with Andrew in 2010. The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time.
The detention of Thursday was not in connection with any charges of sexual assault.
Thames Valley Police said it was not naming the suspect as per national policy
and warned that, as the lawsuit was now active, precautions must be taken to prevent being in contempt of court.
We know the significant public interest in this matter,
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said, And we'll have updates as soon as possible.
supporting a Thames Valley Police probe into misconduct in a public office,
Norfolk Constabulary told the BBC.
From 2001 to 2011, the former Duke of York travelled around the world and gained unparalleled access to top government and business contacts around the globe.
According to documents relating to the late financier, which were recently disclosed by the US Department of Justice in 2010, Andrew appears to have forwarded government reports from trips to Vietnam, Singapore, and China to Epstein.
The papers also appear to show Andrew forwarded information on investment opportunities in gold and uranium in Afghanistan to Epstein.
Trade envoys have a responsibility of secrecy over sensitive, commercial, or political information regarding their official visits under official guidance.
Andrew has never denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein. He has not replied to the BBC's calls for comment on the specific charges relating to the leak of millions of Epstein files in January.
Virginia Giuffre, a woman from another woman, had charges against him that were later dismissed out of court.
She claimed she was tricked into having sex with Andrew on several occasions, including on Epstein's private island, Little St James, in the early 2000s.
There was no hint of wrongdoing on Andrew's part in the deal.
