00:00Breaking news to bring you now. Thames Valley Police say that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
00:05has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Breaking news in the last
00:11few moments. Thames Valley Police confirming that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the son,
00:16the brother of the king, has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
00:23This occurs on the day of his 66th birthday and follows, of course, months of intense
00:31questioning regarding those links with the convicted paedophile, the late paedophile,
00:37Jeffrey Epstein, and also around Andrew's conduct in his role as a trade envoy for the
00:45United Kingdom whilst he was a working royal. Obviously, that role as a working royal
00:50no longer apparent, following those links, following those questions regarding his
00:56behaviour and also regarding his relationship with Epstein. Now, in previous instances,
01:04Andrew has denied any wrongdoing, but we're hearing from Thames Valley Police that Andrew
01:11Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. And you will,
01:17of course, be well aware of the continued questioning following the release in stages of files related
01:26to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. And in late January, it became apparent that the former Duke
01:34of York, Andrew, had been in contact with Epstein for longer than Andrew had previously admitted.
01:42This was made apparent in emails that were published through court documents, phrases like keep in
01:49touch, close touch, and we'll play some more soon. One email sent to Epstein from a member of the British
01:56royal family that was believed to be Andrew. And this has all become apparent as the Department of Justice
02:02has released over three million documents related to Epstein and the continued investigation in the United
02:12States regarding his activities and those associated with him. Well, I can now bring you a full statement
02:19from Thames Valley Police. This is a statement they've shared the last few moments.
02:24As part of the investigation, we have today arrested a man in his 60s from Norfolk on suspicion of
02:31misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
02:37The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man as per national
02:43guidance. Please remember that this case is now active, so care should be taken with any publication to
02:49avoid contempt of court. Assistant Chief Constable Louisville Wright said, following a thorough
02:54assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
03:00It is important that we protect the integrity and objective of our investigation as we work with
03:05partners to investigate the alleged offence. We understand significant public interest in the case
03:10and will provide updates at an appropriate time.
Commentaires