Ex-prince Andrew search warrants quashed after police accept legal error

British authorities have quashed search warrants that were used to investigate Prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, following a legal error, according to police on Thursday. The former prince was apprehended in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, prompting searches at his Sandringham and Windsor properties. However, Prince Mountbatten-Windsor subsequently petitioned to have the warrants invalidated, and Thames Valley Police stated they concur that the initial court decision to issue the warrants under a particular law was erroneous.

Consequently, these warrants must now be legally revoked. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police explained, "We accept the position that the initial court's decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was incorrect and therefore these must be legally quashed." Legal proceedings are currently underway to determine how the material obtained during the searches will be handled and whether it can be retained for the ongoing investigation.

The force emphasized that the criminal inquiry, which commenced after the disclosure of thousands of documents by the US Department of Justice concerning the late Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender, remains active. Prince Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and expressed regret over their friendship.