Police and Prosecutors Engage in Talks Over Andrew's Alleged Leaks to Epstein
Thames Valley Police has confirmed that it has spoken with specialists from the Crown Prosecution Service regarding allegations of misconduct in public office involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former prince and Duke of York. The discussions center on claims that Andrew leaked confidential government reports to the deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as the UK's trade envoy.
Details of the Allegations and Police Response
In a statement released on Friday, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright of Thames Valley Police stated, "As part of this assessment, we have engaged in discussions with specialist crown prosecutors from the CPS." He emphasized that this initial phase involves evaluating information to determine whether a criminal offence is suspected and if a full investigation is warranted. The allegations emerged from documents in the latest release of the Epstein files, which appeared to suggest Andrew shared sensitive government information with Epstein.
Andrew has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, maintaining his innocence throughout the ongoing scrutiny. Meanwhile, Stephen Parkinson, the director of public prosecutions, noted that the CPS is in "close contact" with both Thames Valley Police and the Metropolitan Police but has not yet been asked to provide formal advice. He added, "In complex and sensitive cases, the CPS and the police do work together, and I'm sure in the investigation that's been announced, we will do so."
Legal and Political Context
When questioned about the common law offence of misconduct in a public office, Mr. Parkinson remarked, "The law is quite clear. I don't think it would be difficult to give advice on that. As always, the issue when giving advice on criminal cases is about the application of the law." This comes after Buckingham Palace announced earlier this week that it would support the police if contacted over the allegations about Andrew. The palace also stated that King Charles III had "made clear, in words and through unprecedented actions, his profound concern" over the claims involving his brother.
In a related development, US attorney general Pam Bondi testified to the US Congress on Friday regarding the release of the Epstein files. During her testimony, she was asked by Democrat Ted Lieu, representative for California's 36th district, why she has "not prosecuted former prince Andrew." Ms. Bondi responded by questioning why he did not pose the same inquiries to the former attorney general under Joe Biden, leading to a heated exchange where Mr. Lieu accused her of failing to hold anyone accountable, stating, "shame on you."
The situation underscores the ongoing international attention and legal complexities surrounding the Epstein case and its connections to high-profile figures. Authorities continue to assess the evidence, with no formal investigation launched yet, but the discussions between police and prosecutors indicate a serious consideration of the allegations.
