– BBC LIVE REPORTING
Summary
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested and is in custody on suspicion of misconduct in public office – read the police statement in full
The King’s brother was arrested at 08:00 GMT on Thursday morning at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk – here’s how the news broke
Meanwhile, King Charles does not respond to questions about Andrew’s arrest as he attends an event in central London – watch the moment
Earlier, the King, who was not told of the arrest in advance, released a statement saying “the law must take its course”. Prince William and Catherine are understood to support his remarks
Police are searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, including the Royal Lodge in Windsor where the former prince lived until recently
It comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
Andrew, who turns 66 today, has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein; he has not responded to the BBC’s requests for comment on the specific allegations in relation to the release of millions of Epstein files in January
Why are the police saying so little about Andrew?
published at 17:00
In England, there are a number of overlapping laws that constrain what the police – and, as a consequence, the media – might be able to say about a live investigation.
If someone is arrested, the law of Contempt of Court is very clear that they have a right to a fair trial – assuming they are going to be charged – and that right should not be damaged by what’s known as prejudicial reporting.
Details of a police investigation, such as precisely what detectives are looking for, why they are looking for it, what they have gathered so far and their assessment of that evidence, is all material that could sway the public’s mind.
That is why the British media often says very little about a live case compared with other countries where there is more of a free for all.
The second is privacy. This is a very hot topic in British media and criminal justice law – but the basic rule is that the police will not, other than in very exceptional circumstances, name someone who is under investigation.
Why? Because investigation is not proof of a crime. People who are suspected of wrongdoing are entitled to get their life back if and when police conclude they were not involved in any wrongdoing.
Prior to arresting Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Thames Valley Police had been assessing a complaint submitted by anti-monarchy group Republic over the alleged sharing of confidential material with Jeffrey Epstein.
Thames Valley Police also previously said they were separately assessing allegations that a second woman was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with the former prince.
Several other police forces have said they are assessing whether to launch investigations into matters linked to Epstein. None of the actions of the other police forces relate to today’s arrest.
Eight hours since Andrew was arrested
We don’t know why the police have decided they had to arrest Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, which happened at around 08:00 this morning.
The law that constrains the police’s power says officers can only hold someone if they have “reasonable grounds” to do so. Those include:
To conclusively establish their identity and other personal details
To prevent the suspect harming themselves or others
To ensure an effective investigation
To prevent someone from disappearing
Police can initially hold someone for 24 hours and they must be taken to a special custody suite if held for more than six hours.
If detectives need longer, they must apply for more time, first to a superintendent and ultimately to a magistrate.
Arrest comes with rights – including to speak privately to an independent criminal defence lawyer.
At best, this is a line drawn, a degree of separation. At worst, it is a body blow to the House of Windsor.
Whether there have been trials and cases like this before is unimportant – the times have changed.
And whatever titles and styles may have been stripped from him, this is the King’s brother, the late Queen’s son.
This was a senior member of the Royal Family whose activities for his country have led to investigation and arrest.
It is hard to think of a much greater challenge for the Palace.
The King closes his message with the words “duty” and “service” – the foundation of the modern monarchy, the mantra of the Royal Family.
The arrest of Mountbatten-Windsor leaves both more vulnerable.
King doesn’t respond to questions about Andrew arrest
The King has been attending an event to mark the start of London Fashion Week.
As he arrived he was asked by reporters whether he had any reaction to the arrest of his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but he didn’t respond.
A number of well wishers were there to greet him as he made his way inside.
The King was welcomed by the British Fashion Council and toured an exhibition highlighting innovation and sustainability within British fashion – issues he is passionate about.
He also viewed an exhibition by Stella McCartney, a newly appointed ambassador of his Sustainable Markets initiative.
King attends public engagement in London hours after Andrew arrest
published at 16:02
King Charles was seen in central London this afternoon
The King was met with a mixture of questions about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and cheers as he arrived at an event in central London a short while ago.
Like the Queen earlier, the King has decided to go ahead with previously scheduled engagements today despite news of his brother’s arrest.
Earlier, he released a statement saying “the law must take its course” – and, as we reported earlier, neither he nor Buckingham Palace were told in advance that the former prince was to be taken into custody this morning.
How news of Andrew’s arrest unfolded
Lucy Manning
Special correspondent
We now know that at about 08:00 police officers arrived at the Sandringham Estate, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been staying, to arrest him.
A news agency captured pictures of unmarked police cars arriving and plain clothes officers.
At 09:54, the BBC was the first to confirm that Andrew had been arrested in relation to misconduct in a public office. The news broke on all our platforms moments later.
Shortly after, Thames Valley Police released a statement confirming that a man in his sixties had been arrested and was in custody, and they were carrying out searches at addresses in Norfolk and Berkshire.
The BBC saw uniformed officers at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where Andrew had lived until recently.
The extraordinary morning ended with statement from the King at midday, saying he had learned with “the deepest concern” of Andrew’s arrest and that “the law must take its course”.
The King had not been informed in advance that an arrest would take place today.
Typically, an initial arrest in a white collar crime would be for a few hours to allow searches to be conducted and initial questioning to be done.
It is very unlikely that somebody would be held in custody overnight.
Although police can potentially hold someone for 24 hours and get extensions, that really is not very likely.
After that, typically the person who has been arrested is given police bail and a date to return to a police station for potential further questioning.
At some point further down the line – maybe weeks away – there will have to be a decision made by the Crown Prosecution Service and Thames Valley Police about whether to charge him with misconduct in public office.
My guess is it will be weeks before any really substantial decision is made as to whether this is something that needs to be taken further and into the courts.
When a case appears on papers in court it is R v Smith. The ‘R’ stands for Rex – the King.
If Andrew were to be put on trial, it would be the King versus Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, his brother.
As we’ve been reporting, unmarked police arrived at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk this morning, where Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at around 08:00.
In recent weeks, the former prince had left Windsor to set up a temporary home in a property on the Sandringham Estate, while his future permanent residence at nearby Marsh Farm is being renovated.
The Sandringham Estate was bought as a private country retreat for the future Edward VII when he was Albert, Prince of Wales, in 1862, and has since been passed down from monarch to monarch.
It remains a country retreat for the Royal Family and is where they traditionally gather at Christmas.
It is understood Andrew is living temporarily at Wood Farm, a secluded property near the village of Wolferton, which his father, the late Duke of Edinburgh, chose as his primary home when he retired from public life in 2017.
Today, Sandringham is a hive of police activity.
‘Are you concerned about Andrew’s arrest, your Majesty?’
Queen Camilla has been asked about Andrew’s arrest while at an engagement in central London.
As we reported earlier, the Queen attended a lunchtime concert in Westminster and was greeted by representatives when she got there.
In front of cameras as she headed to her car, the Queen was heard in footage being asked “are you concerned about Andrew’s arrest your Majesty”. She was seen waving but did not respond to the question.
