Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor challenges police action over arrest, Telegraph reports

Windsor, United Kingdom. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles’ younger brother, has launched legal action against Thames Valley Police over his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in office, the Telegraph reported on Sunday. The arrest was based on documents released by the US Justice Department concerning the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Challenge to police action

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of leaking government documents to Epstein while serving as a special representative for trade between 2001 and 2011. He has asked a judge to determine whether the police force’s actions towards him were lawful, according to the report.

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The Telegraph said he had lodged a judicial review concerning search warrants that allowed police to raid his home on the Sandringham Estate and his former residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

Reuters could not immediately verify the report. Thames Valley Police and Buckingham Palace did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Investigation and response

Detectives from Thames Valley Police questioned Mountbatten-Windsor throughout the day after he was detained. The force said it was investigating allegations that he had passed documents to Epstein while working as the trade envoy.

Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and said he regrets their friendship.

Royal duties and titles

The former prince was forced to relinquish all official royal duties in 2019 over his ties with Epstein. His older brother stripped him of his titles and honours last October amid further revelations about their relationship.