Police urge Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s ex-bodyguards to say what they ‘saw or heard’ in Epstein probe
Keir Starmer is understood to be considering a law change that would remove the former prince from the line of succession after police have finished their investigation
Police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein have urged his former bodyguards to “consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard” is relevant to their inquiries.
The Metropolitan Police said they were identifying and contacting former and serving close protection officers of the former Duke of York, urging them to share any information that could assist with the investigation.
Detectives are also working with authorities in the US to establish whether London airports were used to “facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation”, after former prime minister Gordon Brown called for police to “urgently” re-examine claims that women, or girls, were trafficked to the UK aboard flights to Stansted.
It comes as Sir Keir Starmer is understood to be considering a law change that would remove the former prince from the line of succession after police have finished their investigation.
On Friday, the Met said no new reports of alleged sexual offences had been made since the release of millions of documents related to Epstein by the US Department of Justice.
It said: “We are assessing this information and are actively seeking further detail from law enforcement partners, including those in the United States.
“Separately, the Met is identifying and contacting former and serving officers who may have worked closely, in a protection capacity, with Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor. They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard during that period of service may be relevant to our ongoing reviews and to share any information that could assist us.”
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing in relation to his links with Epstein, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
The royal family is facing its greatest crisis in decades as the police search of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, entered its second day and is expected to continue into Monday.
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The 66-year-old was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and was released under investigation after 11 hours of police questioning.
Officers are looking into claims that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with the disgraced financier while serving as the UK’s trade envoy – a role he was forced to leave after it emerged he had continued his friendship with Epstein after the latter’s conviction for sex offences.
Searches of Royal Lodge began soon after his arrest, with officers returning on Friday to continue to comb through the 30-room property, which was home to Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for over two decades. Several unmarked vehicles were seen entering the gates as uniformed officers patrolled the 98-acre grounds.
“Searches in Berkshire are ongoing and are likely to be ongoing until Monday,” Thames Valley Police told The Independent.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest marks the greatest challenge to the monarchy since the abdication in 1936 of King Edward VIII, whose decision to marry American divorcee Wallis Simpson triggered a constitutional upheaval.
The days-long search could spark a fresh scandal for the royals after significant time and resources were spent trying to contain the controversy arising from Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with Epstein.
It comes amid growing calls for the former duke to be removed from the line of succession, as he remains eighth in line to the throne despite the scandal.
The move would require an act of parliament, and The Independent understands that the government will consider introducing legislation to allow his removal once the police investigation has concluded. Any changes to the line of succession will require consultation and agreement with other Commonwealth realms, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said parliament would have to consider “when the time is right” to change the law, adding that “naturally the monarchy will want to make sure he can never become King”.
Meanwhile, Zack Polanski, leader of the Green Party, called for a “full statutory inquiry” following the former prince’s arrest, which could include looking into other public figures.
“We obviously need to wait for the legal process to make its way, but I would say we really need a full statutory inquiry into public figures from institutions, where crimes have been committed – if they’ve been committed; what we knew, what other people in those institutions knew, and, where necessary, to make sure that the appropriate people are removed,” he said.
Earlier this week, Rachael Maskell, Labour MP for York Central, told the BBC that she believed Mr Moutbatten-Windsor should have his succession right revoked. That sentiment was echoed in a YouGov poll that showed that 82 per cent of Britons believe he should be cut from the line of succession, with only 6 per cent believing that he should not. The survey of 7,242 adults, released on Friday, also found that 12 per cent of respondents did not have a view.
Meanwhile, Princess Anne continued her royal duties with a visit to Yorkshire Crisps on Friday, ignoring a reporter who asked from across the car park if she had spoken to her younger brother since his arrest.
King Charles has expressed his “deepest concern” over news of his brother’s arrest, and added that “the law must take its course” in a statement on Thursday. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s children, Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, are yet to comment on his arrest.
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