Authorities in the United Kingdom have conceded that search warrants executed at properties linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were issued unlawfully and must be voided. Despite this ruling, officials emphasized that the inquiry into the King’s younger brother is continuing.
High Court Justice Nicholas Hilliard determined on Thursday that Thames Valley Police committed a “significant error” during the application process for the warrants associated with the search of the former royal’s residences. While acknowledging the police agreement that the warrants were unlawful, Hilliard clarified that quashing them does not terminate the investigation or render the entire probe illegal.
A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police stated that the force accepts the court’s position that the initial decision to issue the warrants under the specific legislation applied was incorrect. The department is currently engaged in legal proceedings to determine the disposition of items seized during the searches and whether they can be lawfully retained as part of the ongoing case.
The former prince was arrested in February on his 66th birthday, facing suspicion of misconduct in public office concerning his associations with the late American sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He was released the same day but remains subject to investigation. Last year, Mountbatten-Windsor lost his royal titles due to his connections to Epstein, who died in a New York prison in August 2019. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
Police previously searched the former prince’s residence in Windsor and a property at Sandringham in eastern England. Mountbatten-Windsor subsequently challenged the legality of the warrants in court. During the Thursday hearing, Judge Hilliard noted that the dispute over whether the seized property can be kept will not be resolved until next year. The police spokesperson confirmed that no materials related to the investigation have been returned to the royal.
Honestly, this just feels like another delay tactic. It’s going to drag on until next year with no real resolution for anyone yet.
Wait, so they can keep all the seized evidence? I thought quashing the warrant meant everything had to go back immediately.
It’s wild that the investigation can legally continue despite those warrants being voided. The distinction is legally sound but practically messy.