UK court rules warrants used to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor homes unlawful

Thames Valley Police accepted that the legal basis for the warrants was incorrect. A separate hearing in 2027 is expected to decide whether investigators may keep the seized material.

The High Court in London ruled that warrants used to search two homes belonging to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were unlawful. Thames Valley Police had accepted that the legal basis used to obtain them was incorrect. The ruling quashes the warrants but does not end the investigation.

Police searched the former prince’s properties in February, the day he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The investigation concerns allegations that he passed confidential information to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy. Andrew denies wrongdoing and has not been charged.

The court has yet to decide whether police may retain documents and electronic devices seized in the searches. A further hearing is expected in 2027. The judge said quashing the warrants did not make the entire investigation unlawful.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was questioned for nearly 12 hours before being released under investigation. His legal challenge concerns the search warrants. The underlying police investigation remains active.