On Thursday, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested from Wood Farm property in Norfolk on “suspicion of misconduct in public office.” However, he was released under investigation (RUI) 11 hours after the arrest. The former prince was pictured reclining in the backseat of a car, looking shocked after leaving Aylsham police station.
Ex-Prince Andrew released under investigation 11 hours after arrest
Ex-Prince Andrew has largely remained out of official royal duties since stepping away from public roles. His brother, King Charles III, previously removed his military affiliations and royal patronages. He ordered Ex-Prince Andrew to vacate his Royal Lodge and relocate to Norfolk. Following this directive, he recently moved to a temporary residence on the Sandringham estate. Moreover, his permanent home, Mash Farm, is currently undergoing renovations.
However, as per the latest reports, the former royal was apprehended by Thames Valley Police at Sandringham on Thursday, on his 66th birthday, amid an ongoing investigation.
But after almost 11 hours of arrest, Andrew was released under investigation. As per the Mirror, Thames Valley Police released a statement, stating, “We arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The arrested man has now been released under investigation. We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”
And this means that although Andrew has been released, the police will continue to investigate an alleged criminal offence, but without any specific duration. “There are no predetermined time limits for the investigation, leaving the duration uncertain,” said UK-based Lawton’s Solicitors.
In RUI, “the police retain the ability to continue their inquiries without setting a formal deadline for concluding their examination of the case.” As a result, cases can last weeks, several months, and sometimes even years.
Importantly, Andrew does not need to report regularly to the police during this period. However, officers can request further interviews or make another arrest if new evidence emerges.
The arrest of Andrew due to the controversy has left the royal household in shock. According to the Mirror, this is considered a serious offense, linked to clear misconduct and an abuse of power and responsibilities. If necessary, the case may be tried in a Crown Court. The Crown Prosecution Service has stated that anyone found guilty could face a maximum sentence of life in prison.
