POLICE are probing claims of sexual misconduct allegedly carried out by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Cops have widened their inquiry into his ten years as UK trade envoy and are also assessing claims of fraud, corruption, bullying and perverting justice.
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Police are probing claims of sexual misconduct allegedly carried out by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured after he was arrested in February Credit: Reuters
Andrew and pal Jeffrey Epstein were pictured strolling in New York’s Central Park in 2010 Credit: Jae Donnelly
The CPS may charge him under the misconduct in public office act, for stand-alone offences, or both.
The former prince was arrested at his Sandringham home on his 66th birthday, February 19, then released under investigation.
Police urged alleged “victims and survivors” of his pal Jeffrey Epstein to talk to them.
Thames Valley Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright’s appeal came as it emerged the force’s inquiry into Andrew’s time as trade envoy is now far wider in scope.
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Andrew’s arrest was initially believed to be focused on commercially-sensitive information he is alleged to have provided to Epstein.
Yesterday ACC Wright said: “There’s a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining.
“We are speaking to a range of witnesses and want anyone with information to get in touch with us.”
Specifically addressing “victims and survivors” of Epstein’s alleged sex trafficking offences, the top cop said: “We really hope they will come forward . . . I really want to stress that our door is open.”
Shamed Andrew with 17-year-old Virginia Giuffre and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001 Credit: AFP
No decision has yet been made on whether to prosecute former prince Andrew, pictured at the Queen’s annual birthday parade in June 2019 Credit: Getty
He said the investigation is “continuing at pace” with experienced and specialist officers working on the inquiry.
Sex crimes investigators and dedicated fraud and financial crime specialists are among the Operation Ironville team.
Mr Wright described the inquiry as “complex”, adding: “It is not going to be a quick investigation by any means.”
Officers are in contact with the Royal Household and liaising with the Government’s business and trade department to which Andrew would have reported as the UK’s special trade envoy from 2001-11.
The police team is also in touch with US legal authorities to obtain original Epstein Files material.
More than three million documents and videos connected to the paedophile financier have been released by the US Justice Department since December.
But it is understood UK police forces, including Thames Valley, have yet to receive any material.
Several women have alleged that Epstein provided them to Andrew for sex.
The Epstein Files appeared to show Andrew passing on details relating to royal visits and investment opportunity briefings, and also putting in a good word for him while on an official trip.
The widened police probe is examining other potential aspects of the Misconduct in Public Office Act, which carries a maximum life sentence.
As well as sexual misconduct, fraud, corruption and financial impropriety, cops may also assess whether Andrew abused or bullied anyone under his care and supervision while trade envoy.
Under the terms of the Act, the team could also look at him on suspicion of improper influence or conflict of interest with his role.
A memo by Andrew’s private secretary Capt Blair Credit: PA
Andrew was seen returning to his Sandringham home in Norfolk yesterday Credit: Andrew Styczynski
Perverting justice and misconduct leading to personal gain are other potential options.
The Crown Prosecution Service could decide to try to prosecute Andrew under the umbrella of the Act.
Alternatively, a decision could be made to try him for standalone offences — or even a combination of both. Police met the threshold of evidence required to arrest Andrew and search his home in February.
And they have been taking early stage advice from CPS lawyers.
However, at this stage, no decision has been made on whether to prosecute Andrew.
Prosecutors would need to prove that Andrew’s trade envoy role made him a public official.
The Act normally applies to police and immigration officers, politicians and government officials.
Virginia Giuffre alleged that she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein and his British lover Ghislaine Maxwell and forced to have sex with Andrew on three occasions while aged 17.
Ms Giuffre claimed the three incidents took place in 2001 and 2002 at locations including Maxwell’s London home, Epstein’s New York mansion, and his private island in the US Virgin Islands.
She was interviewed by the Met Police in 2015 over the claims she was trafficked to the UK.
No action was taken at the time but the Thames Valley Police officers now investigating Andrew for misconduct in public office are seeking original interview tapes from the Met.
Separately, the Thames Valley force is assessing a claim by another woman that she was flown to the UK by Epstein.
Newly released documents show the late Queen was ‘very keen’ for her son Andrew to get his UK trade envoy job Credit: Getty
QUEEN ‘VERY KEEN’ HE WAS MADE ENVOY
By Matt Wilkinson
THE late Queen was “very keen” for her son Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to get his UK trade envoy job, newly released documents show.
The Government files yesterday included a memo from senior official Sir David Wright to Foreign Secretary Robin Cook in 2000 saying the monarch’s “wish” was for the former Duke of York to get the job the following year.
Sir David, chief executive of British Trade International, said he had a “wide-ranging discussion” with the Queen’s private secretary about a “suitable role” for her son as his Royal Navy career ended.
The documents show the former prince was recommended by the Government’s Royal Visits Committee for his UK trade envoy role — days after the alleged sexual assault of Virginia Giuffre in London in March 2001.
Andrew became the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011 — but stepped down over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Eleven memos were among a trove of files related to his appointment.
One said he was “particularly good” on several matters including “youth”, that he “tended to prefer more sophisticated countries” and favoured “ballet rather than theatre”.
Efforts were also made to stop Andrew, sometimes known as “Air Miles Andy” and the “Playboy Prince”, playing too much golf.
Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said the Government found “no evidence” of formal due diligence checks before the ex-prince took on the envoy role — but this was “understandable” as he took it over from the Duke of Kent.
Downing Street said further files relating to the appointment will be published “as quickly as possible”.
Andrew, 66, was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and released under investigation. He denies wrongdoing.
Her lawyer alleged she had sex with Andrew at his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor.
She claims she was then given a tour of Buckingham Palace and tea by the former prince.
Police have yet to speak with the woman directly and are trying to encourage her to come forward and provide a statement.
Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Ms Giuffre or Epstein. Meanwhile, following his February 19 arrest, Andrew was released under investigation.
Searches were carried out at Wood Farm and cops spent a week scouring Royal Lodge in Windsor.
Material seized is currently being examined by officers.
Cops are also interviewing potential witnesses, including Andrew’s former police bodyguards.
Andrew stood down as trade envoy in 2011 over the furore caused by his links to Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting a minor for sex in 2008.
The tycoon killed himself in a New York jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for similar offences.
Ms Giuffre, 41, died by suicide in Australia in April 2025 — three years after Andrew paid £12million in an out-of-court settlement to resolve her civil sexual assault lawsuit in the US, with no admission of liability.
He made no admission of guilt and has consistently denied all allegations she made.
A month before that settlement, the Queen stripped Andrew of his honorary military affiliations and permission to use HRH.
Last October, as the Epstein fallout continued, the King removed all his younger brother’s remaining royal honours including “Prince”.
A total of nine forces are investigating or assessing Andrew stemming from alleged evidence to have emerged from the Epstein Files.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council has set up a steering group to co-ordinate efforts. And the National Crime Agency is providing expert assistance to forces.
Separately, the Met Police are also investigating Lord Mandelson, former Labour Government minister and ambassador to the US.
He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February amid Epstein Files disclosures.
