Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: MP calls for treason probe as Royal Lodge searches continue
Senior MP Tom Tugendhat said the former prince’s alleged actions raise ‘urgent questions’ over national security
A senior MP has called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to face a treason investigation over allegations he leaked sensitive government information to Jeffrey Epstein.
Former Tory cabinet minister Tom Tugendhat said the ex-prince’s alleged actions raise “urgent questions” about foreign influence and national security and questioned what those around him knew.
Speaking to The Sun on Sunday, he said: “This goes beyond what a court could reasonably consider. Parliament must consider what it means for the country. If the worst is proved, do we need to revisit treason laws written 700 years ago?”.
It comes as police searches at Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home of Royal Lodge enter their fourth day. Officers began to scour the Windsor property following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on Thursday.
On Saturday, it was reported that King Charles will not oppose plans to remove his brother from the royal line of succession.
Royal sources told The Guardian on Saturday that Charles would not stop Parliament from enacting legislation that would prevent Andrew from ever ascending to the throne.
A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace told The Independent that the issue is “a matter for Parliament”.
Comment: The royal family is built to survive disaster, but Andrew’s disgrace will rattle it as never before
The royal family is built to survive disaster, but Andrew’s disgrace is a new low
Inside the police’s secret operation to arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
The arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has shocked many, described by one royal expert as “the most spectacular fall from grace for a member of the royal family in modern times.”
Craig Prescott, a royal expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, compared it in severity to the crisis sparked by Edward VIII’s abdication to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson, warning “it may not be over yet”.
The former prince faces an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office, over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein. The former prince, who became the first senior royal in modern history to be arrested, is accused of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
The Independent’s Bryony Gooch takes a look inside the police investigation that led to his arrest:
Inside the police’s secret operation to arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
Timeline of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s scandals
Widely purported to have been the late Queen’s “favourite” child, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has suffered a sharp fall from grace over the past decade.
The latest blow has seen him arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
But it isn’t his first controversy. You can read a full timeline of all of the disgraced former royal’s scandals below:
Timeline of Andrew’s scandals as royal arrested on his birthday amid Epstein claims
In pictures: Kate and William make appearance at Baftas
Line of succession explained
At this time, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne.
First in line to succeed his father King Charles is the Prince of Wales, William.
His three children are next, with Prince George second in line, Princess Charlotte third, and Prince Louis fourth.
The Sussexes then slot into succession, with Prince Harry fifth in line and his children with Meghan Markle, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet next.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor follows.
'Inconceivable' Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's guards didn't see anything, ex-head of UK royal protection says
The ex-head of UK royal protection has said it is “inconceivable” that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s guards didn’t witness any alleged misconduct.
Speaking to Sky News, Dai Davies said: “"Wherever he (Mr Mountbatten-Windsor) went, he would have had a team of protection officers and they would have been with him normally 24 hours a day.
"Clearly at night they're not in the bedroom with him, but they're nearby, so that in the event of an incident, they could act in accordance with their training."
He added: "Many of them had been with him for years, and they would have gone to all the five residents [of Jeffrey Epstein] that we've been talking about in the United States, Virgin Islands, New Mexico, and Florida.
"So it's inconceivable to me, I'm sad to say, that nobody saw anything."
Majority of British public wants Mountbatten-Windsor removed from line of succession, polling suggests
The majority of Britons think Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor should be removed from the line of succession, according to recent polling.
The survey conducted by YouGov shows 82 per cent of the public think the former prince should be removed from the line of succession, and just 6 per cent believed he should not.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer’s government considers whether to introduce legislation to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor from his place as eighth in line to the throne.
King’s dignity will shine on US tour after Andrew arrest, says Geordie Greig
King Charles's visit to the US this year will be an opportunity for the royal family to "shine through" after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest, says Geordie Greig.
It comes as police searches at Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home of Royal Lodge enter their fourth day. Officers began to scour the Windsor property following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on Thursday.
The Independent editor-in-chief told Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg on 22 February that the royal family will "get through this," and the King's "confidence and diplomatic skills" will be highlighted on his US trip.
King’s dignity will shine on US tour after Andrew arrest, says Geordie Greig
Inside Royal Lodge: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s home for 22 years
Police are carrying out searches at homes linked to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after his shock arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Thames Valley Police confirmed officers were searching properties in both Berkshire, where his previous home of two decades, Royal Lodge, is situated, and Norfolk, where he currently lives on the King’s Sandringham estate.
The former prince was forced to give up his grade II-listed 30-room mansion in January after continued public backlash over his friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
You can read more below:
Inside Royal Lodge: Andrew’s home for 22 years as police search homes after arrest
Epstein accusers say Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest shows that ‘power can be toppled’
One of the first women to accuse late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein of sexually assaulting her — and her younger sister — said she was thrilled by news that the man formerly known as Prince Andrew, who was stripped of his royal titles last year over his longstanding ties to the notorious predator, had been arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“I’m feeling elated,” Epstein survivor Maria Farmer, 56, told The Independent. “... I think it’s going to make all the difference for everyone. It proves that power can be toppled.”
You can read more below:
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