Prince Andrew has faced mounting scrutiny since his arrest earlier this year. Now, a legal challenge involving searches of his homes has taken an unexpected turn. The development comes as police continue investigating the allegations surrounding him.
Prince Andrew’s home search warrants quashed after police admit legal error
The former royal has secured a legal victory after police accepted that the search warrants were unlawful. Police had obtained the warrants covering Royal Lodge and a Sandringham property before his February arrest for suspected misconduct in public office.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor challenged the warrants through a judicial review. The dispute centered on which section of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act applied. Police accepted that authorities should have used Section 9 instead of Section 8.
The warrants were issued by a High Court judge on February 18. Andrew was arrested the following day. It was also his 66th birthday. Before they released him without charge, they questioned him.
A court hearing on October 8 revealed that police had agreed to quash the warrants. Police and Andrew reached the agreement on July 22 after Andrew challenged the warrants. The legal error therefore led authorities to set aside the warrants.
Thames Valley Police stressed that the decision does not end its investigation in a statement to People. “The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court.” Police added that it “is not a judgment on the ongoing investigation.”
The force also defended how officers handled the warrant applications. “We ensured the court was presented with all the necessary information and paperwork.” Police said they followed “the correct legal processes throughout.”
Police accepted that the original legal basis was incorrect. “We accept the position that the initial court’s decision to issue warrants” under that legislation was wrong.
The dispute over the police searches is ongoing. Most of the material seized remains in police possession, while Thames Valley Police said the investigation is continuing.
Andrew has not been charged in connection with the investigation. His arrest and the search warrants followed scrutiny of his association with Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has denied wrongdoing concerning those associations.
