The former prince has launched a Judicial Review against Thames Valley Police and the Old Bailey, alleging officers took private and confidential items unrelated to their investigation during raids on his properties, in what is believed to be the first legal challenge of its kind by a royal in almost 400 years.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has alleged that police seized personal items from his home during a raid earlier this year, as part of a legal challenge against Thames Valley Police and the Old Bailey over the lawfulness of the search warrants used. According to The Telegraph, the former prince claims officers took private and confidential items from his property that had no connection to the investigation into his conduct. The case marks the first time in nearly 400 years that a member of the Royal Family has challenged the lawfulness of criminal proceedings brought against them.
Legal challenge over search warrants
Andrew has asked a High Court judge to examine whether the warrants used to search his cottage at Sandringham and his former residence, Royal Lodge in Windsor, were lawfully issued. The searches took place on 19 February, Andrew’s 66th birthday. Should the Judicial Review rule in his favour, it is understood that police would be required to return all items seized during the raids, including those Andrew has described as personal belongings unrelated to the case.
A ruling in Andrew’s favour would represent a significant setback for police, who have been investigating him over allegations of misconduct in public office. The inquiry centres on emails Andrew is reported to have sent to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy, which are alleged to have contained sensitive information.
Arrest and detention
During the February raids, plain clothes officers searched Andrew’s properties, and he was subsequently arrested and held for almost 12 hours at Aylsham police station in Norfolk while being questioned. He was later released under investigation. Andrew strongly denies any wrongdoing in connection with the case. His detention marked the first time in more than 350 years that a member of the Royal Family had been held by police.
Secrecy row over court documents
The case has already generated controversy after police applied on Monday for a restrictive order that would keep documents relating to the Judicial Review out of public view. A senior judge, Mr Justice Hilliard, is due to hear Andrew’s application on Thursday, at which point he will determine whether the contents of the case documents can be made public. The Press and members of the public are expected to be excluded from proceedings, at least initially. Court cases in England and Wales are typically held in public under the principle of open justice, except where a specific justification exists for departing from that norm.
King restricts use of personal funding for legal fees
It has previously been revealed that the King has instructed Andrew not to use money provided to him as a private source of income to help fund his legal costs, which are reported to total hundreds of thousands of pounds. Buckingham Palace has declined to comment publicly on the matter, though royal sources have confirmed that the King has specifically directed Andrew not to use the funds he provides to supplement either his personal spending or his security arrangements.
