Police are reportedly considering using corruption laws to investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after his arrest. Separately, sources claim police are also carrying out a scoping assessment into sex trafficking claims against the former prince. The disgraced former Duke of York was arrested last month, on his birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
It comes after documents within the three million files released by the US Department of Justice showed that he may have shared confidential information during his time as the UK’s trade envoy with the convicted paedophile. Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.
On Wednesday, the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Sir Mark Rowley, said that police forces are pressing American authorities to release the unredacted files relating to Andrew, as they are reviewing a “whole range of suggested sexual allegations” to determine whether any “merit a criminal investigation”.
The Met chief said the police in the UK “need the unredacted evidence” and “original copy” to pursue investigations here.
He said that police are reviewing documents relating to the former prince’s time as a trade envoy, adding that any sexual allegations, such as those made by the late Virginia Giuffre, will also be investigated if there is evidence.
Now, The Sun reports that police are considering investigating the 66-year-old under corruption laws. Sources told the publication that a separate scoping assessment is being carried out into sex trafficking claims against the former prince.
Sources also claimed that police “have concerns” about whether Andrew’s job made him a public official and whether they can prove that, as, in order to be prosecuted, it would have to be proved he actually committed misconduct while performing his role as a public official.
The outlet added that detectives are allegedly considering “alternative legislation” which could include using “archaic anti-corruption laws”.
Former head of Met Royalty policing, Dai Davie, told the outlet: “Police need to consider every law and their disposal.
“It is not just Andrew they should be looking at, but those who may have assisted or benefited from his alleged actions.”
A total of nine police forces are looking into the US financier’s links to the UK, including those relating to the disgraced royal.
Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing, and being mentioned in the Epstein files does not indicate wrongdoing.
The Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley police have been contacted for comment.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
