Ex-Prince Andrew Arrested Amid Epstein Scandal

Disgraced royal Andrew Mountbatten Windsor was arrested this morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to the BBC.

The broadcaster said it had seen photos of cars arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew has been living in a temporary property since leaving Royal Lodge, his permanent home in Windsor, in early February.

Andrew, who turned 66 today, is the first senior royal in modern British history to be arrested.

While it did not name the former prince, Thames Valley Police force confirmed in a statement that it had arrested a man in his 60s.

“Thames Valley Police has opened an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office,” the statement said.

“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.”

The latest Epstein files, released by the US Department of Justice earlier this month, appear to show that Andrew shared sensitive government documents and commercial information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein when working as a trade envoy in 2010 and 2011.

In October, the former prince gave up his royal titles after sexual assault allegations published in Virginia Giuffre’s posthumous memoir led to renewed scrutiny of his friendship with the convicted sex offender.

Thames Valley Police force has said that for the time being it will not be making any further statements, holding a press conference or conducting any media interviews in relation to the investigation.

“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence,” it said.

“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”