Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor challenges his arrest in court over Epstein case

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles, has launched legal proceedings against Thames Valley Police, challenging the legality of his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

The former prince has asked a judge to review whether the police actions against him were lawful, according to documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice concerning Jeffrey Epstein and reports by The Telegraph.

He was arrested in February on suspicion that, between 2001 and 2011, when he served as a special trade envoy, he had passed government documents to Epstein.

The Telegraph reported that Mountbatten-Windsor had sought a judicial review of the warrants that allowed police to search his home in Sandringham, as well as his former residence, Royal Lodge, in Windsor.

After his arrest, he was questioned by Thames Valley Police investigators. According to police, the investigation concerned suspicions that the former prince had handed documents to Epstein during the period when he was serving as a trade attaché.

Reuters said it had been unable to independently verify the information reported by The Telegraph.

Neither Thames Valley Police nor Buckingham Palace immediately responded to requests for comment.

Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, denies all wrongdoing related to the convicted American sex offender and financier. He has also said that he regrets the friendship he had with Epstein.

His relationship with Epstein affected his position within the royal family for years. In 2019, he stepped down from official royal duties following controversy surrounding his ties to the American financier.

Then, in October last year, King Charles stripped his brother of his royal titles and honors following new revelations about his involvement in the Epstein case.