Andrew Mountbatten allegations: Police investigating potential sex crime reports at royal residence

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and interviewed under caution for hours. British police said the investigation will be hugely thorough and will take time. The inquiry focuses on his role as special representative for trade and investment from 2001 to 2011, with U.S. Department of Justice documents indicating he may have shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein. Misconduct in public office can cover serious wrongdoing, including corruption and sexual misconduct, and the investigation examines multiple aspects. Police are speaking with a range of witnesses. Mountbatten-Windsor has denied wrongdoing related to Epstein and has not made a public statement since the arrest.

"“The investigation is by necessity hugely thorough and will take time,” Oliver Wright, Assistant Chief Constable of Thames Valley Police, who are carrying out the inquiry, told reporters. “It's not going to be a quick investigation by any means.”"

"The focus of the inquiry is the former prince's role as special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011, with emails released by the DOJ suggesting he had shared sensitive information with Epstein. However, misconduct in public office, which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, can relate to any serious wrongdoing - from sharing confidential information to corruption and sexual misconduct."

"“There's a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining. So we're speaking with a range of witnesses,” said Wright, who did not refer to Mountbatten-Windsor by name, as is customary in Britain before someone is charged."

"Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he regrets their friendship. He has made no public statement since his arrest."

Read at Irish Independent