Andrew investigation police renew call for information

Detectives investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office have repeated their call for people to come forward with information.

It is understood police are concerned that witnesses might think they are focusing only on the allegation that Mountbatten-Windsor shared a confidential trade report with late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Misconduct in public office is a very complex offence which potentially can include a wide range of behaviour including abuse of position, sexual misconduct and corruption, amongst other things.

The investigation into the former Prince Andrew was sparked by the release of US Department of Justice files related to its investigation into Epstein. But so far Thames Valley Police have still not been formally given any information by the department and are relying on material released publicly.

Epstein, who was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008, died in a New York prison in 2019 as he awaited trial on sex trafficking charges.

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied wrongdoing in relation to his association with Epstein and has denied any personal gain from his role as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

He was arrested on 19 February and released under investigation. He has only ever been described by Thames Valley Police as "a man in his 60s from Norfolk", as police forces do not usually name people unless they have been charged.

He was questioned on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after emails published in the Epstein Files seemed to suggest he had shared confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein.

His house on King Charles III's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, were both searched by detectives.

In a new update on the case, Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright repeated the force's call for information, saying: "We encourage anyone with information to get in touch with us."

"Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation," he said.

"There's a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining."

BBC News understands that detectives are concerned that there may be a public perception that their investigation is narrowly focused on the sharing of confidential information.

Misconduct in public office is a broad offence defined as someone who holds public office wilfully neglecting their duty by behaviour that can potentially encompass a wide range, including things such as sexual misconduct, financial misconduct, abuse of position, misconduct leading to personal gain and corruption.

It is understood detectives do not want people to think they are only focusing on potential misconduct involving "the state", rather than possible crimes that would involve people, which can also be part of a misconduct case.