“The man remains in police custody at this time."
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Police have been assessing claims against Mr Mountbatten-Windsor that emerged in the Jeffrey Epstein files, including allegations that he shared sensitive information with the paedophile when he was a UK trade envoy.
Six unmarked police cars and around eight plain-clothed officers arrived at Wood Farm on the Sandringham estate just after 8 am. One officer carried a police-issued laptop.
Today marks Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s 66th birthday.
One car drove down the front drive, while the remaining five entered through the back entrance of the five-bedroom farmhouse in Wolferton.
An unmarked police car left around 30 minutes later, followed by another, with a third believed to be carrying Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s security.
Thames Valley Police released a statement confirming the arrest:
“As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
“The man remains in police custody at this time.
“We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance.
“Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright added:
“Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”
The investigation is ongoing, and police have carried out searches at multiple addresses as part of their enquiries.
The Met Police has been making “initial inquiries” into royal protection officers who were assigned to Andrew and at least eight other forces have been assessing whether to launch investigations into Epstein-related allegations.
Scotland Yard has been assessing claims from an unnamed former bodyguard that members of the Royalty and Specialist Protection Command may have become too close to the former Duke of York while working for him.
Surrey Police has urged anyone with information to come forward about claims of human trafficking and sexual assault from the 1990s, which appeared in the Epstein files.
The National Crime Agency is working alongside police forces to assess allegations detailed in the files.
Separately, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been accused of sexually assaulting Virginia Giuffre.
It is also alleged that a woman in her 20s was sent to Britain by Epstein for sex with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor. He denies the claims.
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