Posted by - Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office – here’s what we know so far
- Police say King Charles’s brother is in custody and officers are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk – read the police statement in full
- Photos show vehicles, believed to be police cars, arriving at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk earlier this morning
- It comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
- Andrew, who turns 66 today, has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein; he has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment on the specific allegations in relation to the release of millions of Epstein files in January
Watch: Police arrive at Sandringham on Andrew’s birthday
Earlier this morning, unmarked police vehicles were seen arriving at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been living.
He was arrested by Thames Valley Police – but while we know they are carrying out searches in Norfolk and Berkshire, we do not know where Andrew was arrested.
Arrest means police can search Andrew’s homes and possessions published at 11:1011:10
Dal Babu, former Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent, tells BBC News that pressure has been “growing and growing” over the last few weeks.
The ex-senior police officer says that by arresting Andrew, police will be able “to access computer equipment, files, photographs, any other evidence”.
He also says officers “can carry out searches of any premises he owns or occupies, or any other premises he controls, so there may well be searches in other areas as well”.
How long can police hold Andrew for?published at 10:5010:50
Our colleagues at BBC Radio 5 Live have been speaking to Danny Shaw, a policing commentator, about what Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest actually involves.
Shaw says the absolute longest the former prince can be held for is 96 hours – but this would require multiple extensions from senior police officers and a Magistrate’s Court.
In most cases suspects are held for 12 or 24 hours and are then either charged or released pending further investigation, Shaw says.
Andrew will be placed in “a cell in a custody suite” with just “a bed and a toilet”, where he will wait until his police interview. Shaw says “there’ll be no special treatment for him”.
As a reminder, we don’t know what time Andrew was arrested or where he is being held.
Today is Andrew’s 66th birthday
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