Former Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is taking police to court to challenge search warrants issued in connection with his arrest over allegations that he sent confidential government documents to the late convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
The Judicial Office said on Monday that a hearing would take place on Thursday after Mountbatten-Windsor applied to have the search warrants issued as part of his arrest in February quashed.
Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III and second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, has denied wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and previously said he regretted their friendship.
He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over allegations that he leaked confidential government documents to Epstein while serving as a British special representative for trade between 2001 and 2011.
Police have not charged him, and the investigation remains ongoing.
Police Warrants In Focus
Thames Valley Police, which carried out the arrest, confirmed that it was involved in legal proceedings concerning warrants obtained from the Central Criminal Court, commonly known as the Old Bailey.
The force declined to provide further details.
The Judicial Office said Thursday’s hearing would initially take place in private and relates to an application concerning access to court documents.
Legal expert Nick Vamos, a partner at Peters & Peters who is not involved in the case, said successfully challenging the warrants would not necessarily bring the police investigation to an end.
He said that even if a technical defect were found in the original warrants, the court could potentially allow police to retain the material or remedy the issue.
Mountbatten-Windsor’s Epstein Links
Mountbatten-Windsor was questioned by detectives for several hours in February following his arrest.
His association with Epstein has caused significant controversy for the British royal family. He stepped down from official royal duties in 2019 following mounting scrutiny over his relationship with Epstein.
He was later stripped of his royal titles and honours by King Charles after further revelations concerning their relationship.
Epstein, who had been convicted of sex offences, was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in August 2019. His death was ruled a suicide.
The latest legal challenge comes as the investigation into the allegations against Mountbatten-Windsor continues.
News of his challenge to the search warrants was first reported by the Daily Telegraph.