Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has won a High Court challenge to search warrants used by Thames Valley Police during its investigation into his links to Jeffrey Epstein.
At an October 8 hearing in London, Mr Justice Hilliard said police had made a significant legal error when applying for the warrants used to search properties connected to Mountbatten-Windsor. Thames Valley Police accepted that the warrants were unlawful, and the court quashed them.
The ruling concerns the legal basis for the searches and does not end the underlying investigation. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with allegations that he shared sensitive government information with Epstein while serving as a British trade envoy. He has denied wrongdoing, and no criminal charge has been reported in the investigation.
The court ruling also does not automatically require police to discard everything seized during the searches. Further proceedings are expected over whether investigators may lawfully retain or use material already taken from the properties.
The case is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor v. The Central Criminal Court and another, Claim No. AC 2026-LON-002321, in the High Court of Justice, King’s Bench Division, Administrative Court. The decision narrows the dispute over police search powers while leaving the broader investigation unresolved.
Sources
- Courts and Tribunals Judiciary — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor v. The Central Criminal Court and another
- Associated Press — Judge says search warrants used to seize property from former Prince Andrew were unlawful
- ABC News Australia — Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor wins court battle over police search warrants