The police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has received a major update as the inquiry is reportedly set to widen beyond misconduct in public office.
The former Duke of York was arrested on his 66th birthday at Wood Farm cottage in Sandringham last month and was held in custody at Aylsham Police Station for 11 hours.
Thames Valley Police have since continued to investigate the allegations of misconduct, which centre on Andrew's time as the UK's special trade envoy and his friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
However, detectives are understood to be widening their investigation to other potential offences, including a corruption probe and sex trafficking offences, according to a new report in The Times.
A source told the newspaper: "The legal bar for Mipo [Misconduct in Public Office] is high. There was always an issue over whether he was actually a public official at the time, whether he actually signed any papers. It’s not surprising that they are having to look at broader offences."
There is also a scoping inquiry into alleged sex trafficking, according to the source, with investigations expected to take at least a year.
© Getty ImagesAndrew has always denied any wrongdoing. He also claimed he never met Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide last year, after accusing the former prince of sexual assault. He paid a £12 million settlement to her in 2022.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police told HELLO!: "We are aware of ongoing speculation into other offences Thames Valley Police may be investigating following the arrest on 19 February of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office. Whilst we maintain an open mind, our investigation currently remains focused on the allegation of misconduct in public office."
Andrew's arrest
On 19 February, Andrew was held in custody for 11 hours. Police vans had arrived in Sandringham that morning, arresting Andrew at Wood Farm Cottage.
In a statement at the time, Thames Valley Police said: "As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court."
© PA Images via Getty ImagesAndrew was stripped of his remaining titles last October by the King, meaning he is now no longer known as Prince and no longer holds his Duke of York title.
Following his arrest, King Charles expressed the "deepest concern" in a statement and signalled: "Let me be clear: the law must take its course."
Prince William and Kate had previously expressed their "concern" over the Epstein allegations, while Prince Edward urged people to "remember the victims".
Essex Police, the Metropolitan Police, Surrey, Thames Valley, Norfolk and Bedfordshire police forces are all understood to have been assessing the three million documents released in the Epstein files in January.
House renovations update
Andrew is currently living in Wood Farm while his permanent home, Marsh Farm in Wolferton, undergoes renovations. As his proposed April move-in date looms closer, three large blue removal vans were spotted outside the estate earlier this week.
The removal lorries from Gander and White, which has a Royal Warrant, arrived at the five-bedroom farmhouse on the morning of Tuesday 17 March and were carrying loads of Andrew's paintings, presumably from his former home at Royal Lodge in Windsor.
The former prince, who had his titles stripped by his brother, King Charles, last year, was known to have a huge number of art pieces lining the walls of his 30-room Grade II Georgian mansion in Windsor, which he shared with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson.
Renovations at his new home include a six-foot gate and fence for security, the installation of Sky TV and brand new carpets from Linney Cooper, which also holds a royal warrant.
