Police probe Andrew's stay with Epstein at king's castle

Scottish police are conducting inquiries into the time then-prince Andrew spent at the king's Balmoral estate with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell.

Police Scotland said the investigation was at a "very early stage".

"All inquiries are evidence-led, with the needs of victim survivors at the heart of those inquiries,'' police said in a statement.

"We would never confirm details of ongoing inquiries and it would be inappropriate to comment further."

Images released by the US Department of Justice this year appear to show the former prince, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, on a shooting trip at the estate with Epstein.

In February Mr Mountbatten Windsor was arrested and held for hours by British police on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

It was the first time in nearly four centuries that a senior British royal had been arrested.