Former Prince Andrew's historic police showdown could put seized evidence in jeopardy: expert
Former Prince Andrew isn't waiting quietly for the police investigation into him to play out.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor launched a legal challenge over searches of his homes following his February arrest.
Mountbatten-Windsor asked the court to rule on whether Thames Valley Police lawfully searched his homes near Windsor Castle and on King Charles III's Sandringham estate, according to The Daily Telegraph. A hearing will be held Thursday.
"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," a spokesperson for the Thames Valley Police told Fox News Digital. "As these legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further."
Fox News Digital reached out to Andrew's attorney for comment.
The legal challenge could have significant consequences for the investigation, particularly if the court finds fault with how police obtained evidence.
"He is fighting the police process rather than waiting for the investigation to conclude," Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator, told Fox News Digital. "If he wins, it might affect evidence obtained through the searches which he is claiming were not lawfully conducted."
"The background to this is that the police have reportedly not obtained access to the unredacted Epstein files, which has reportedly affected their ability to investigate links between Andrew and Epstein," Fitzwilliams added. "The investigation has been widened from misconduct in public office to include potential sexual misconduct. It is the first time a member of the royal family has challenged the legal process since Charles 1 in 1649."
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The manner in which police carried out the searches has also raised questions among royal observers.
"He was obviously feeling very aggrieved by the police entering his home at eight in the morning and the world’s press finding out at 8:05," Ian Pelham Turner, royal broadcaster, told Fox News Digital.
"All sorts of questions arise. Did his brother King Charles know about this beforehand? Did the police deliberately humiliate him? It has often been said he treated the police with contempt. Was this a way of getting back to his alleged rudeness? Only time will tell," he added.
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Authorities arrested Andrew in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was accused of sharing confidential trade info with Jeffrey Epstein.
Emails released by the Department of Justice (DOJ) in January as part of the Epstein files appeared to show former Prince Andrew sharing reports of official trade visits with the disgraced financier. At the time, he was serving as Britain’s special envoy for international trade.
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Specifically, emails released as part of the Epstein files appeared to show Andrew sharing reports of official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore.
One email, dated November 2010, appeared to be forwarded by Andrew five minutes after he had received it.
In another, on Christmas Eve 2010, he appeared to send Epstein a confidential brief on investment opportunities in the reconstruction of Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.