Ex-prince Andrew has been called to testify as a witness in a high court trial concerning financial advisor Selman Turk. This makes him the first royal family member to provide evidence in a fraud case since the 19th century. The news comes a few days after Andrew turned the tables on the police for unlawfully arresting him and conducting searches of his properties. He ultimately won this legal dispute.
Why Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been called as a witness
Sean Coughlan, a BBC royal correspondent, shared on X that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been summoned to testify in a high court fraud trial. Coughlan added that this would serve as an opportunity to get a closer look at his finances, adding, “He’s the first royal with such a witness summons since the 19th Century.”
A few days before, Justice Adam Johnson claimed that Andrew won’t be called in to provide the necessary testimony in Selman Turk’s case. For those unversed, Turk is alleged to have stolen tens of millions from Turkish millionaire Nebahat Evyap Isbilen.
Later, Johnson ultimately allowed Andrew to be served with a summons. Providing the reason behind the change in decision, he said, per BBC, “Given the seriousness of the allegations, both on their own terms and in light of their wider impact, fairness requires that Mr Turk should be afforded an opportunity of putting forward his own case, using the evidence he considers relevant and material.” It’s learned that the judge may have allowed Andrew, but an official request is yet to be sent to ensure that he appears in front of the court.
The update comes a few days after Andrew took the police to court over their search warrant and his arrest linked to the Epstein files. Justice Nicholas Hilliard of the High Court in London confirmed that the search conducted at the former prince’s Sandringham and his former home, Royal Lodge, was unlawful. This move also made Andrew the first royal to challenge a proceeding.
