Former Prince Andrew challenges police over arrest in Epstein files probe - report

File photo: Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, younger brother of Britain’s King Charles, formerly known as Prince Andrew

Former duke of York Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched legal action against Thames Valley police over his arrest in connection with the Epstein files, Telegraph has reported.According to the newspaper, Mountbatten-Windsor has lodged a judicial review challenging the lawfulness of search warrants that allowed police to raid his home at the Sandringham Estate and his former residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor.A high court judge has granted permission for the judicial review, with a private hearing scheduled later this week to decide whether certain court documents relating to the case should be released, Telegraph reported.Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February at Marsh Farm in Norfolk on his 66th birthday. He was taken to Aylsham Police Station, where he was questioned for almost 12 hours on suspicion of misconduct in public office before being released under investigation.Police also searched Marsh Farm and Royal Lodge for several days, removing documents and other material as part of the investigation.

What is Andrew challenging?

The former royal's legal team is seeking to establish whether the search warrants were lawfully issued.

The warrants were granted by an Old Bailey judge following an application by Thames Valley Police.The judicial review is the first known legal challenge by a member of the Royal family to the lawfulness of criminal proceedings against them since the trial of Charles I in 1649.The case stems from material released in the Epstein files that allegedly showed Mountbatten-Windsor sharing sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.The documents included reports about his visits to Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam and China, as well as a confidential briefing on investment opportunities in Afghanistan's Helmand province.

Investigation faces difficulties

Mountbatten-Windsor is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct in public office, a complex common-law offence involving the abuse of public office for an improper advantage.Telegraph reported that the investigation is facing difficulties after the US Department of Justice refused to hand over unredacted versions of the Epstein files.

A formal request for the material could take more than a year, with no guarantee that US authorities would comply.In May, Thames Valley police said the investigation would also examine allegations of sexual misconduct and appealed for information.The arrest had drawn criticism from some former and serving police figures. One senior Metropolitan police source told Telegraph that they were surprised by the decision to arrest Mountbatten-Windsor at his home rather than invite him for questioning under caution.Buckingham Palace has previously said the King was not warned about the arrest. King Charles said at the time that “the law must take its course” and expressed concern over the allegations.

Epstein ties and fallout

Mountbatten-Windsor has previously said he ended his friendship with Epstein in December 2010. However, emails released by the US Department of Justice showed that he contacted Epstein on Christmas Eve that year and sent him a confidential briefing about investment opportunities in Helmand.Other emails showed he had forwarded official reports of his visits to Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong and Shenzhen to Epstein just minutes after receiving them from his special assistant.Telegraph also reported that Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein had discussed launching a business in China years after Epstein's conviction for a child sex offence and while Andrew was still serving as a trade envoy.