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

British police have announced that search warrants granted to investigate former Prince Andrew's properties linked to King Charles' younger brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are invalid and must be revoked. The prince was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and searches were conducted at his residences in Sandringham and Windsor.

However, Mountbatten-Windsor requested that the search warrants be canceled, and Thames Valley Police confirmed that they recognize the initial court decision to issue the warrants under the specific legislation was erroneous. A spokesperson for Thames Valley Police stated, "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 seized during the searches should be handled and whether the police can lawfully retain it for their ongoing investigation. The force emphasized that the criminal inquiry, which commenced following the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice related to the late Jeffrey Epstein, a known sex offender, continues.

Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and expressed regret over their friendship.