Police are asking Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s protection officers to come forward with any information that might be relevant to inquiries relating to the Epstein files.
It comes after suggestions former protection officers may have turned a blind eye to some of Andrew’s activities, particularly on sex offender Jeffrey Epstein’s island.
The Metropolitan Police said it was “identifying and contacting” former and serving protection officers and asking them to “consider carefully” whether they had seen or heard anything.
Separately, searches are continuing at Andrew’s former home in Windsor following his arrest on the Sandringham Estate on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has again denied any wrongdoing. Police arrested him and later released him under investigation, which means they have not filed charges yet.
Now you are waiting to see whether Thames Valley Police will bring charges. Nine police forces across the UK are also reviewing the case after more than three million Epstein-related documents were released.
Metropolitan Police said it has not found any wrongdoing by protection officers so far. The force also said it has not received any new criminal allegations about sexual offences within its area.
The Met confirmed it is contacting former and current officers who worked closely with Andrew in a protection role. Officers have asked them to carefully think about anything they may have seen or heard that could help the investigation.
Police are also looking into claims that London airports may have been used for human trafficking or sexual exploitation. They are reviewing the information and seeking details from other law enforcement agencies, including in the United States.
Meanwhile, the government is reportedly considering new laws that could remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.
On Friday, unmarked police cars and vans were seen entering and leaving Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor estate where Andrew lived for many years. He moved out in February after the latest Epstein file release. Because he left quickly, many of his belongings may still be inside.
Aerial photos show what looks like a large police evidence tent on the grounds. At one point, more than 20 vehicles were parked outside. Police have not confirmed whether all of them were part of the investigation.
Officers are now searching the property room by room. They are checking for anything that could help their case. If they find evidence, they must carefully store and log it, which can take time.
Searches at Royal Lodge are expected to continue until Monday.
For the last two weeks Andrew has lived on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where police said they had concluded their searches.
At some point the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Thames Valley Police will have to decide whether to charge the King’s brother with misconduct in public office.
It could be weeks or months before any substantial decision is made.
The CPS is yet to become formally involved in the TVP investigation, the BBC understands.
This means that while there may have been some discussions, CPS lawyers have not given detectives any formal advice about how to proceed with the investigation.
A CPS spokesperson said: “We are in close contact with police regarding high-profile individuals.
“We remain ready to support any police investigations if needed.”
Andrew’s arrest comes after the latest tranche of Epstein files appeared to show the former prince had shared sensitive government documents and commercial information with Epstein, a convicted sex offender.
Reports from trade visits and a confidential briefing on investment opportunities in Afghanistan are among the documents Andrew appears to have shared with him.
The Epstein files also suggest Andrew passed a Treasury briefing to a personal business contact.
Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial or political information about their official visits.
And while the police have made it clear Andrew is being investigated for misconduct in public office, the specific nature of the allegations is not yet clear.
It is possible the police investigation extends beyond the emails seen widely in Epstein-related documents published in the US.
Buckingham Palace has said they will support TVP in their inquiries.
This means the police may have gone to the Palace, or could still go to the Palace, asking to see communications between Andrew and others, which could bring new evidence to light.
Andrew, who was stripped of his titles late last year, is the first senior member of the Royal Family in modern history to be arrested.
He has always denied any wrongdoing arising from his relationship with Epstein and has not responded to specific BBC questions about the files released in January.
