Police probe into former Prince Andrew: What's happened so far?

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Today with David McCullagh 7 min 2 speakers 6 chapters transcribed 4 months ago

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What allegations are being investigated against Prince Andrew?

David McCullagh 0:00

Police in the UK investigation Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor want witnesses to contact them if they believe they have information about alleged sexual misconduct, corruption or fraud. In a sign of the potential expansion of their investigation, Thames Valley Police vowed to rigorously investigate claims against the former Prince Andrew, who strongly denies any wrongdoing. For more on this, I'm joined by Martin Brunt, crime correspondent for Sky News. Morning, Martin. Hello, Martin. David, good morning. Good morning to you. Thanks to have you now. Martin, what have police been saying about this investigation?

Martin Brunt 0:41

Well, they said that it's a complex investigation and it's likely they suggested it's likely to go on for many months. They've been slightly guarded in what they said, but the thrust. of what we're hearing from them officially is that they are looking for more potential victims in what could be certainly potentially an expansion of the investigation.

What has the police said about the complexity of the investigation?

Martin Brunt 1:06

Their concern is that because they are investigating the former prince for this allegation of misconduct in public office, they fear that people out there have kind of misinterpreted what that means. It sounds... as though they are looking only at the possible leak of government documents. I mean, after all, that's what he was arrested for. But misconduct in public office covers a multitude of sins, and it can cover sex crimes and fraud and corruption and perverting the course of justice. And they've made it clear that they're looking at all aspects of this potential charge of misconduct in public office. So they feel that people believe that their investigation is limited, but it's much wider. than we've been led to believe.

Martin Brunt 2:02

Now, the police have been limited in what they've said, but if you dig around, if you read between the lines, it's clear that they are already investigating the former prince for allegations, potential allegations of sexual misconduct. And in one case, they're dealing with a lawyer of a woman in America who

What role did Epstein's documents play in Andrew's arrest?

Martin Brunt 2:23

who claims that she was taken to Andrew's former home in Windsor for sexual purposes. She's yet to make a formal complaint, but that's just one example of where police believe there are other women who might be dissuaded from coming forward because they don't really understand the nature of this investigation, which is much broader than people thought.

David McCullagh 2:49

Is it usual for the police to say something like this, though? It strikes me as a bit unusual.

Martin Brunt 2:59

I don't suppose it's unusual. It happens from time to time, but it's a clear indication that they need help. that they need help. They need people like me and you to broadcast their appeals, to encourage people to come forward. And I think what's happened is that they've read in various media accounts of women who are saying things, who are concerned about certain behaviour in the past, but haven't taken that step to come forward to the police and report it. And that woman in America is a shining example of somebody who has spoken through her lawyer to a media outlet in the UK, but hasn't come forward to make a formal complaint. And the police believe there are more women like her

David McCullagh 3:53

Right.

How does the police's request for unredacted documents affect the investigation?

David McCullagh 3:53

Now, as you mentioned, Martin, he was arrested and questioned under criminal caution in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his role as a British trade envoy. Could you just remind us about that?

Martin Brunt 4:06

Yes, he was appointed UK government trade envoy in 2000, I think 2001, and did it for about 10 years. He was eventually asked to step down after the first election. revelations of his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, the disgraced financier. But it was the release of the FBI documents from the FBI files into its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein over sex trafficking in January this year that really prompted the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten. And essentially, the suspicion was initially on his arrest three months ago that he had passed on sensitive government documents and commercial information. to Epstein and given him a leg up and given him the opportunity to at least potentially make money from what he, Andrew Mountbatten, was learning in his role as a trade envoy.