Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against the police following his arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office for allegedly sharing confidential government documents with Jeffrey Epstein.
Britain’s Judicial Office, a non-political civil service entity supporting the courts, announced a hearing scheduled for Thursday after the former prince moved to challenge the search warrants issued during his arrest.
Thames Valley Police, responsible for the arrest, confirmed their involvement in legal proceedings related to warrants obtained from the Central Criminal Court, known as the Old Bailey, and declined further comments.
Andrew, aged 66, faced arrest in February over allegations of leaking government documents to Epstein during his tenure as a special trade representative from 2001 to 2011. He has denied any wrongdoing in connection to Epstein and expressed regret over their relationship.
During the questioning by detectives, Andrew appeared visibly shocked as captured in a Reuters photograph upon leaving the police station after a day-long interrogation.
The hearing on Thursday concerns the police’s attempt to restrict access to court documents and is set to commence privately. The news of this legal challenge was initially reported by the Daily Telegraph.
Andrew’s legal representative did not provide any comments upon request. In 2019, he resigned from all official royal duties due to his association with disgraced financier and convicted sex offender, Epstein. Subsequently, he was stripped of his titles and honors in October of the same year by his elder brother following further revelations about their ties.
Accused by Virginia Roberts Giuffre of sexual assault when she was 17 and under Epstein’s employment, Andrew denied the allegations but reached a financial settlement with Roberts Giuffre after a civil lawsuit was filed. Epstein was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019, ruled as a suicide.
Maxwell, Epstein’s associate, was convicted of federal sex trafficking charges in New York and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022. Roberts Giuffre passed away at her Australian residence last year in a death ruled as a suicide.
A U.S. congressional committee has been interviewing various prominent figures, including former president Bill Clinton, who had past associations with Epstein or Maxwell. While there is interest in speaking to Andrew, the committee lacks the legal authority to compel his appearance.