Andrew Mountbatten, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been arrested, the BBC reports. He has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Police arrived at his Sandringham home, Wood Farm, around 8 am local time on Thursday. The BBC was first to report it.
According to British news outlets, at least six unmarked cars carrying eight officers in plainclothes, each with police-issue laptops, were spotted driving into Wood Farm. It occurs on what is Andrew’s 66th birthday.
One of the cars drove down the front drive while the other five went in the back entrance to the five-bedroom farmhouse.
Thames Valley Police confirmed that the ex-prince has been arrested. It’s the first time the disgraced former prince, who has faced numerous allegations over this links to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested. Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Andrew Mountbatten, formerly known as Prince Andrew, arrested on his 66th birthday
The police have been conducting searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk simultaneously to Andrew’s arrest.
The Thames Valley Police said Andrew was arrested after a “thorough assessment.” An investigation has been opened.
“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 police said in a statement.
“The man remains in police custody at this time.”
Per the BBC, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence,” he continued. “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
Prince Andrew has been living at Wood Farm for almost three weeks. He was forced to move out of his home at the Royal Lodge in Windsor after new details of his connection to Jeffrey Epstein were made public. He has only been spotteed once, last Thursday, since the move to the Sandringham house.
This is a developing story.
