Here’s the latest.
British police arrest Prince Andrew on misconduct suspicions linked to Epstein ties, marking a major blow to the monarchy amid ongoing investigations. The case highlights legal scrutiny of royal family members tied to past controversies.
Live Updates: Former Prince Andrew Arrested in Britain Over Epstein Ties
King Charles III said he supported a “full, fair and proper process” regarding the investigation of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, adding that he backed the authorities involved.
British police on Thursday arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, over suspicions of misconduct in public office after accusations that he shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a British trade envoy.
The arrest was a stunning blow to the British monarchy, which has been rocked by scandals for decades and is now having to endure the spectacle of having one of its members arrested. The move escalated the long-running crisis for Buckingham Palace over the former prince’s ties to Mr. Epstein and allegations of sexual abuse of a young woman.
His brother, King Charles III, in a statement confirmed the arrest. The Thames Valley Police said in a statement that it had “arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.”
As is policy under British law, the police did not name the suspect, but the details provided in the police report match what is known about the public misconduct allegations. The police were seen on Thursday morning at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, where Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor is living.
The arrest underscored a striking contrast in the official responses to the Epstein files. The British authorities have moved aggressively to investigate the possibility of crimes emerging from the three million pages of correspondence with Mr. Epstein, while police in the United States have not.
While Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Mr. Epstein, the convicted sex offender, have been known for years, his arrest marks a new chapter in his public fall from grace. Last year, he was stripped of his royal titles and evicted from his sprawling residence.
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing. His representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Here’s what else to know.
Royal response: King Charles said he supported a “full, fair and proper process” regarding the investigation of his brother, adding that he backs the authorities involved: “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.” He added: “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
New disclosures: A tranche of documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice on Jan. 30 included a number of emails that suggested Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor may have shared confidential documents when working as a British trade envoy. In one email, he appears to forward to Mr. Epstein official reports about visits he made as envoy to South Asia in 2010 that were sent to him by his assistant.
Earlier accusations: Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Mr. Epstein’s victims, said that the financier had trafficked her to Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor around 2001, when she was a teenager, and that he had sex with her multiple times. In 2022, he paid Ms. Giuffre an undisclosed sum to settle a lawsuit in a New York court in which she said he had raped and sexually abused her when she was 17. Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor, who did not admit to any of Ms. Giuffre’s accusations against him in announcing the settlement, has denied any wrongdoing in relation to his friendship with Mr. Epstein.
Broader orbit: The Epstein files have implicated several other members of the British elite. Police are investigating whether Peter Mandelson, a longtime British political operative who served as ambassador to the United States, committed “misconduct in public office” by sharing sensitive government documents with Mr. Epstein. He denies any criminal wrongdoing. The latest files also revealed that Sarah Ferguson, Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-wife and the one-time Duchess of York, had carried on a long and personal correspondence with Mr. Epstein long after the disgraced financier was convicted of soliciting prostitution in 2008. Read more ›
The family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, who accused Jeffrey Epstein of trafficking her to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for sex when she was 17, welcomed the news of his arrest. “At last. Today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” the family said in a statement. “He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”
Video footage shows police officers near the gates of the Royal Lodge in Windsor, the former residence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. The BBC has reported that the police are conducting searches at the property.
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Legal experts say that misconduct in public office is typically difficult to prosecute because of the narrow definition of the crime.
“The authorities will be looking to prove that Andrew was a public officer acting as at the time of the allegations, and that he wilfully neglected to perform his duty to such a degree as to amount to an abuse of the public’s trust in him as the office holder, and that he did so without reasonable excuse or justification,” said Andrew Gilmore, a partner at Grosvenor Law, a London-based firm.
Prince William and his wife, Catherine, have not released a statement about the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. But a spokesperson for the royal couple said that they supported King Charles III’s statement on the matter. Last week, the spokesperson said they were “deeply concerned by the continuing revelations” about Jeffrey Epstein and that “their thoughts remain focused on the victims.”
For years, the royal family had sought to distance itself from allegations of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s wrongdoing in relation to Jeffrey Epstein. But the tone of its most recent statements has shifted, as the possibility of a public reckoning has become more likely.
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor underscores a striking contrast between the United Kingdom and the United States in the official response to the Epstein files. British authorities have moved aggressively to investigate the possibility of crimes emerging from the three million pages of correspondence with Mr. Epstein. In the U.S., some business executives have resigned, but police have not take action like they have in Britain.
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In his first public comments since the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday, King Charles III was clear and direct. The statement was issued just hours after the police detained his brother over accusations of misconduct in public office in relation to his links with Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.
The statement was striking, because it addressed the British public directly but also because it was signed by Charles personally instead of being issued by Buckingham Palace.
Here is the king’s statement in full:
I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.
Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.
Charles R.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is not the only member of the British elite who has been caught up in files connected to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender.
The files, released by the U.S. Department of Justice, have also put a harsh spotlight on Peter Mandelson, a longtime British political operative who served as ambassador to the United States, and Sarah Ferguson, Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-wife and the one-time Duchess of York.
And Ghislaine Maxwell, the longtime companion of Mr. Epstein serving a federal prison sentence on sex-trafficking charges, is a former British socialite who is the daughter of the British media magnate Robert Maxwell.
Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to his friendship with Mr. Epstein.
The emails and text messages in the latest release of Epstein files revealed that Ms. Ferguson had carried on a long and personal correspondence with Mr. Epstein long after the disgraced financier was convicted of soliciting prostitution in 2008.
In a 2009 email, Mr. Epstein suggested that he paid for flights for “the Duchess and the girls from Heathrow to Miami,” an apparent reference to travel for Ms. Ferguson and her daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. In 2010, in another email exchange, Ms. Ferguson called Mr. Epstein “a legend,” adding, “I really don’t have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness. Xx I am at your service. Just marry me.”
Mr. Epstein also urged Ms. Ferguson to help him improve his public image, suggesting in one email that she release a statement asserting that he was “not a pedo.” There is no evidence that she did so.
Ms. Ferguson’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment since the new files were released. In 2011, she admitted that he had helped pay off her debts and apologized for her “terrible error of judgment” in “having anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein.” The new files show that she continued to exchange emails with Mr. Epstein after that admission.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer fired Mr. Mandelson last September after an earlier batch of files showed a close relationship between the ambassador and Mr. Epstein. A new tranche of files suggest a longstanding friendship between the two, undercutting Mr. Mandelson’s claims that he barely knew Mr. Epstein.
The prime minister has said Mr. Mandelson lied about the extent of that friendship, but critics have used the episode to call into question Mr. Starmer’s judgment in appointing him to the diplomatic post in the first place.
An analysis of the new Epstein files suggest that Mr. Mandelson continued to stay at Mr. Epstein’s properties in New York, and possibly in Paris after the prostitution conviction in 2008.
Mr. Mandelson is not accused of sexual misconduct and said in a BBC interview last month that he only ever saw “middle-aged housekeepers’ at Mr. Epstein’s properties. Mr. Mandelson has denied any criminal wrongdoing.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe statement from King Charles III is striking, as it was signed by him personally, and ended with a clear message to the British public: “My family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all,”it read. But it is unlikely that the clear statement will end the public scrutiny of his family and its response.
King Charles III said in a statement on “the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor” that he supported a “full, fair and proper process” regarding the investigation of his brother, adding his support for the authorities involved. “In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and cooperation.” He added: “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince, on Thursday came just a week after new revelations about Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender, roiled the top ranks of Britain’s political establishment.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer faced calls from members of his own Labour Party to step down after correspondence documented a much closer relationship between Mr. Epstein and Peter Mandelson, the person Mr. Starmer had appointed to be British Ambassador to the United States.
The leader of the Scottish Labour party, Anas Sarwar, urged Mr. Starmer to resign, saying the prime minister had shown bad judgment when he appointed Mr. Mandelson despite knowing that the two men were close.
Mr. Starmer, who said he did not know the extent of the relationship between Mr. Mandelson and Mr. Epstein when he appointed him and accused his former ambassador of lying, vowed to stay in office. He subsequently received the backing of every member of his cabinet, who said that changing leaders would be disruptive to the party’s efforts to govern.
But the revelations about Mr. Mandelson did force the resignation of Morgan McSweeney, Mr. Starmer’s chief of staff, who had been close to Mr. Mandelson for decades. Tim Allan, the prime minister’s communications director and a friend of Mr. Mandelson, also stepped down.
The prime minister still faces political danger from the episode. His government has agreed to hand over thousands of pages of internal correspondence relating to his decision-making about Mr. Mandelson’s appointment. Those documents could be released any day.
Aides to Mr. Starmer inside 10 Downing Street are bracing for potentially damaging news reports when the documents are released.
The police are investigating whether Mr. Mandelson committed “misconduct in public office” by sharing sensitive government documents with Mr. Epstein when he served in a previous British government. Emails released by the Department of Justice show Mr. Mandelson forwarded an internal economic memo to Mr. Epstein and shared information about a European Union bailout vote.
Mr. Mandelson has denied any criminal wrongdoing. Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing.
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The police statement announcing the arrest of a man included a warning about laws in Britain that restrict what can be reported before potential criminal trials.
Because the case was now legally active, “care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court,” the police said. This was a reference to a 1981 law that forbids the publication of material creating a “substantial risk” that the course of justice “will be seriously impeded or prejudiced.”
The law aims to prevent a future jury from being influenced, and applies to members of the public as well as journalists.
In video footage shown on the BBC on Thursday morning, a number of unmarked police vehicles were seen arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been living. The estate is privately owned by King Charles III, and Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor moved there after being forced to leave his home in Windsor.
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of Queen Elizabeth II, who was adored by his mother, is not only a major moment in his public fall from grace. It is also another blow to Britain’s royal family after a number of years of turmoil, including the fallout from the death of Princess Diana in 1997.
Under British law, the police cannot typically hold suspects for more than 24 hours without being formally charged. They can be held for a maximum of 96 hours, but only if a court grants an extension.
According to guidance issued by British prosecutors, misconduct in public office is committed when a “public officer” — a label that covers a wide range of roles, including elected officials and government staff —“wilfully neglects to perform their duty” or “wilfully misconducts themselves” in a way that abuses the public’s trust.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe Thames Valley Police said in a statement on Thursday that officers had arrested a man on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
The police did not name the man, as is policy under British law, but the details provided match what is known about the public misconduct allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew. Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing.
Here’s the statement in full:
“As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
The man remains in police custody at this time.
We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“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.”
The charge of misconduct in public office, which is what Mountbatten-Windsor is being investigated for, carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, according to Britain’s Crown Prosecution Service.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, said that the financier had trafficked her to Mountbatten-Windsor around 2001 when she was a teenager, and that he had sex with her multiple times. Mountbatten-Windsor repeatedly denied Giuffre’s accusations.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTThe arrest will be a blow to Britain’s royal family, which has made moves to distance itself from the former prince as the details of his links to Epstein have repeatedly been thrust into the spotlight. The arrest appears linked only to an ongoing investigation of misconduct in public office. However, over the years, a number of troubling allegations have come to light.
The arrest comes on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s birthday — he turns 66 today. He is the younger brother of Britain’s King Charles III, who owns the Sandringham Estate where he is now living. He was stripped of his royal titles late last year amid the fallout from his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
The latest tranche of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein revealed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ongoing communications with the disgraced financier long after he previously claimed to have severed ties with him.
While the police statement did not mention Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor by name, the details matched what is known about the public misconduct allegations against him. Police officers were seen on Thursday morning at the Sandringham Estate where Mountbatten-Windsor is currently living, according to the BBC.
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SKIP ADVERTISEMENTPrime Minister Keir Starmer told the BBC this morning that “nobody is above the law,” just hours before the network reported that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by police in connection with his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Speaking about Mountbatten-Windsor, Starmer had said that the principle “has to apply in this case in the same way it would in any other case.”
The Thames Valley Police, which had earlier confirmed it was taking the lead on the investigation into the misconduct allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, said that it had “arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.”
Fonte: The New York Times Articolo originale
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