Police feared Andrew would cite King's permission to block February searches, documents show

Mixed · 2Legal documents from High Court proceedings show Thames Valley Police was concerned that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could block searches of his properties by claiming officers needed the King's permission. 1 2 Mixed · 2According to Andrew's lawyers, police told the judge that Andrew or his legal team "may seek to advance that the property belongs to someone else (the King) and that separate legal permission should be sought", and that obtaining such consent "may not be expeditious" and could "frustrate the nature and purpose of the search". 1 2 Centre · 1The force feared evidence could be lost if it had to seek permission from Buckingham Palace before searching. 1

Mixed · 2The searches in February covered Andrew's residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge; detectives were looking for "paperwork, diaries, business records or other documentary evidence of AMW's time as Special Representative for Trade and Investment". 1 2 Mixed · 2Thames Valley Police has acknowledged the warrants were unlawful, after Andrew challenged them. 1 2 Left · 1Thames Valley Police said it applied for warrants under sections eight and nine of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 the day before the search; the judge decided only section eight warrants were needed and granted them on that basis, but a later legal challenge established they should have been issued under another section. The error was not made public at the time because it was agreed out of court, according to the Mirror. 2

Left · 1Mr Justice Hilliard said the blame fell on both the police and the judge who granted the warrants, saying: "A significant error was made in the application for and grant of the search warrants under section eight." 2 Mixed · 2Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on 19 February, his 66th birthday, following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein while UK trade envoy. He was interviewed under caution and released under investigation, and denies wrongdoing; the police investigation is ongoing. 1 2 Mixed · 2Mr Justice Hilliard said last week that Andrew and the force had reached an "agreement" that the warrants were unlawful, but police have since launched a bid to retain the evidence gathered. Andrew opposes this, and a private hearing is due in 2027, meaning he could remain in limbo for several more months before learning whether he will be charged. 1 2