Detectives investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could investigate allegations of sexual misconduct as part of their inquiry into potential misconduct in public office. Police have repeated their call for anyone with information to come forward.
It is understood police are concerned witnesses might think they are focusing on the narrow definition of misconduct in public office when it is a complex offence that can include abuse of position, sexual misconduct and corruption, among other things.
The police investigation into the former Prince Andrew was prompted by the release of US Department of Justice files related to its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing, and has denied any personal gain from his role as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008, died in a New York prison in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February and released under investigation. He has only ever been described by Thames Valley Police as “a man in his 60s from Norfolk”, as police forces do not usually name people unless they have been charged.
He was questioned on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after emails published in the Epstein Files seemed to suggest he had shared confidential information with Epstein.
In a new update on the case, Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright repeated the force’s call for information, saying: “We encourage anyone with information to get in touch with us.”
“Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation,” he said.
“There’s a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining.”
It is understood police are concerned that witnesses and the public might think they are focusing only on the allegation that Mountbatten-Windsor shared a confidential trade reports with the late financier Epstein.
Misconduct in public office is a broad offence defined as someone who holds public office wilfully neglecting their duty by behaviour that can potentially encompass a wide range, also including things such as financial misconduct, abuse of position, and misconduct leading to personal gain.
It is understood detectives do not want people to think they are only focusing on potential misconduct involving “the state”, rather than possible crimes that would involve people, which can also be part of a misconduct case.
According to Sky News, investigators intend to speak with a woman who claims she was taken to the former prince’s former residence in Windsor “for sexual purposes,” and have appealed to other potential victims of Jeffrey Epstein to come forward. Andrew remains under investigation and vehemently denies any wrongdoing.
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