Former Prince Andrew Arrested by Police
British police arrested former Prince Andrew at his residence on the Sandringham estate on Thursday morning, on his 66th birthday. The arrest is linked to allegations arising from documents related to Jeffrey Epstein.
Police have arrested former Prince Andrew. Eight officers in six unmarked cars were observed as police arrived at the former prince's residence on the Sandringham estate on Thursday morning. The arrest took place on Andrew's 66th birthday.
Former Prince Andrew. Photo: Bav Media / SplashNews.com
Six unmarked police cars and around eight plainclothes officers were observed at Wood Farm at 8am, according to The Telegraph. One car drove through the main entrance of the five-bedroom farmhouse in the village of Wolferton, while five others took the back route. BBC reported at 11am that police had arrested the former prince.
Unmarked vehicles observed on the road near the Sandringham estate on Thursday morning. Photo: Bav Media / SplashNews.com
According to The Telegraph and BBC, police are assessing allegations against Andrew contained in documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The allegations include claims that Andrew shared sensitive information with the convicted sex offender while serving as Britain's trade envoy, a role he held between 2010 and 2011.
Thames Valley Police confirmed in a statement seen by BBC that they had arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and that searches were being carried out at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. Police stated that the man is currently in custody and that in accordance with national guidelines they would not be naming him.
Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate, where former Prince Andrew has been residing. Photo: Bav Media / SplashNews.com
Oliver Wright of Thames Valley Police stated that following a thorough assessment they had launched an investigation into misconduct in public office, and that it was important to protect the integrity and objectivity of the investigation.
According to The Telegraph, several police forces are involved in different aspects of the case. West Midlands Police is examining private flights to and from Birmingham Airport. Scotland Yard is assessing allegations from a former bodyguard that members of the royalty and specialist protection command may have become too close to the Duke of York during their service. The Metropolitan Police is conducting preliminary inquiries relating to royal protection officers assigned to Andrew. Thames Valley Police is examining allegations that Andrew leaked confidential documents to Epstein. Surrey Police has urged anyone with information about possible human trafficking and sexual abuse from the 1990s to come forward. The National Crime Agency is working with police forces assessing the allegations in the Epstein documents.