Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor launches legal action against police over arrest

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking legal action against police following his arrest earlier this year, with a private hearing taking place at the High Court on Thursday.

The former prince was detained on his 66th birthday in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has been accused of sharing sensitive information with the late US financier while in his role as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

The ex-Duke of York was interviewed under caution and released under investigation after being held in custody for around 11 hours.

Andrew is now taking legal action against Thames Valley Police in a bid to quash the search warrants which led to his arrest on 19 February. He has requested that a judge examine the lawfulness of the warrants.

The warrants, issued by an Old Bailey judge, allowed police officers to raid Andrew's residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge.

Andrew receives an annual stipend - the amount of which has not been disclosed - provided by the King from the monarch's private funds.

However a palace source said it had been made clear that these monies should not be used to fund the judicial review, Sky News understands.

The source added that Andrew's legal defence was a matter for him and his lawyers and that Buckingham Palace has no role in determining its strategy or actions.

The Telegraph reported Andrew was granted permission to challenge whether the force acted lawfully over the searches, which ended on 24 February.

On Monday, a judicial spokesperson confirmed a hearing into Andrew's legal claim will take place at 2pm on Thursday at the High Court, before Mr Justice Hilliard.

The spokesperson said it will concern a bid by Thames Valley Police to restrict access to court documents, with the hearing to begin in private.

It is not known whether Andrew will attend the hearing.

Thames Valley Police said in a statement on Monday: "Whilst our investigation into misconduct in public office continues, we are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court.

"As these legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links.

Following his release from custody in February, he was pictured slouched in the back of a vehicle as he left Aylsham police station in Norfolk.

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What is misconduct in public office?

The legal definition of misconduct in public office can include a wide range of conduct - including sharing confidential financial information, wilful neglect of duty, and sexual misconduct.

It also covers corruption and improper interference, conflict of interest, perverting the course of justice, dishonesty or fraudulent conduct, and misconduct leading to personal gain.

The King last year stripped his brother of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom over his association with Epstein.

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