High Court rules police search warrants against Andrew Mountbatten Windsor were unlawful

Thames Valley Police has accepted in the High Court in London that search warrants used to search the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were unlawful. BBC News, ABC News Australia, and The Guardian all reported that the police force conceded its error during court proceedings on Thursday. Mr Justice Hilliard ruled on the judicial review brought by the former prince, who had challenged the legality of the warrants. [1][2][3]

According to BBC News, Thames Valley Police stated that the initial court decision to issue the warrants under a specific piece of legislation was incorrect. Search operations took place on 19 February at Mountbatten-Windsor's properties in Norfolk and Berkshire. The Guardian added that the judicial review also challenged the actions of the central criminal court, which had granted the original search powers. [1][3]

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, BBC News reported. He denies any wrongdoing. As FTMQ News reported earlier, the legal challenge was brought to quash the search warrants linked to an ongoing investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. [1][3][11][12]

Mountbatten-Windsor is the second son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and a younger brother of King Charles III. As FTMQ News reported earlier, Buckingham Palace and King Charles III declined to fund his legal action against Thames Valley Police. [8][11]

BBC News reported that the criminal investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor remains ongoing. Items seized by officers during the February raids on his homes in Norfolk and Berkshire will stay in police custody while the legal challenge progresses. [1]