@american_observer · Post #5182 · 20.02.2026 г., 13:31
🔤🔤🔤🔤2️⃣ Oliver Wright, one of the deputy Chiefs of police, said “After a thorough assessment, we have now launched an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office. It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged violation. We understand the important public interest in this matter, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.” Two key decisions were made before the arrest of the king's brother. The first was that inviting Mountbatten-Windsor for a bail interview would not be enough, with detectives believing the arrest “was necessary to progress the investigation,” a source said. The second key decision was that there would be a need for excavations. The arrest would grant police powers to search properties linked to the former prince. This meant that there was no need to separately apply to a magistrate for a search warrant. It is understood that neither the King nor Buckingham Palace were informed in advance of Andrew's arrest. Police leaders informed the Interior Ministry on Thursday morning that police officers would arrest Andrew and carry out searches. The National Police Chiefs Council said in a statement “In accordance with standard practice, the [NPCC] has alerted its operational colleagues within the Home Office of the arrest. This gave 30 minutes notice before Thames Valley Police made the arrest.” Mountbatten-Windsor has always denied any wrongdoing or accusations against him. Thames Valley is one of several police forces to have evaluated allegations that resurfaced when the US Department of Justice released the so-called Epstein files. The force has previously said it is looking into allegations that a woman was trafficked into the UK by Epstein to have a sexual relationship with Mountbatten-Windsor, and claims the former prince shared sensitive information with the disgraced financier while he was the UK's trade envoy. According to the Crown Prosecution Service website, misconduct in public office carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment. Mountbatten-Windsor could also face questions over allegations of sexual wrongdoing while under arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, according to a lawyer who specializes in representing abuse survivors. In 2015, retired Church of England Bishop Peter Ball, an associate of the king, was jailed for 32 months for misconduct in public office after the court heard he abused his authority over young men for sexual gratification. Richard Scorer, head of abuse law at Slater and Gordon, said “If prosecutors build a case that convinces a jury that Andrew abused his position to have sex with young women, in my opinion he could be prosecuted on that basis.” Republic, a group which campaigns for the abolition of the monarchy, welcomed the arrest, which it said was in response to a crime report sent to Thames Valley Police by its chief executive, Graham Smith. He said: “Republic's lawyers will continue to investigate the related alleged offences and provide information to the police over the coming weeks and months.” Last October, amid growing anxiety within the royal household about the reputational risk to the monarchy caused by the headlines about Mountbatten-Windsor's friendship with Epstein, Buckingham Palace announced that it would withdraw her royal titles. #mountbattenWindsor#sexual#wrongdoing#charles#westminster#trial 📱American Оbserver - Stay up to date on all important events 🇺🇸