Thames Valley Police has issued a statement following reports on Sunday evening that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had launched legal action against the force.
King Charles’s younger brother was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was subsequently released under investigation and has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
In response to reports of legal action, a Thames Valley Police spokesman told GB News: “Whilst our investigation into misconduct in public office continues, we are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court.
“As these legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”
The force has also confirmed that a UK hearing will take place on Thursday after Mr Mountbatten-Windsor requested a judicial review into his arrest over his alleged Jeffrey Epstein links.
The Telegraph, which first reported the story, claimed that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor asked a judge to decide whether the force’s actions against him were lawful.
In particular, the King’s brother wants a judicial review into the search warrants that allowed police to raid his home on the Sandringham Estate, Marsh Farm and his former residence in Windsor, Royal Lodge.
It is the first time a member of the Royal Family has challenged the lawfulness of criminal proceedings against them since the trial of Charles I in 1649.
Thames Valley Police has issued a statement following reports on Sunday evening that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor had launched legal action against the force
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The former Duke of York was arrested on his 66th birthday in February at his Norfolk residence.
After being driven to Aylsham Police Station, about 40 miles away, he was questioned for almost 12 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before eventually being released under investigation.
A photograph taken as he was driven away from the police station showed him looking extremely exhausted after a gruelling day.
Detectives also spent days searching Marsh Farm and Royal Lodge, removing documents and other items as part of the investigation.
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Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office earlier this year | REUTERS
Reports say Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s legal team wants it declared whether the search warrants, granted by an Old Bailey judge following an application from Thames Valley Police, were lawful.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest followed the publication of material in the Epstein files suggesting he may have shared sensitive information with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein when he was the UK’s trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
Friends of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor have said he feels he is “living in limbo” as he waits for the long-running investigation to conclude.
At the time, the King issued a written statement, saying “the law must take its course” and expressing his “deepest concern” about the allegations.
Marsh Farm is now Andrew’s permanent home following renovations | PA
“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities,” he said.
GB News has contacted Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for comment.
