Crime & Justice
Court rules search warrants in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids were unlawful
October 8, 2026 at 02:27 PM
4 reports · over 4 hours
BNBBC News
Watch: What does the ruling mean for the investigation into the former prince?
(opens the publisher’s site)
AJAl Jazeera English
UK ex-prince Andrew search warrants quashed after police accept legal error
(opens the publisher’s site)
TGThe Guardian
Search warrants used in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids were unlawful, court rules
(opens the publisher’s site)
BNBBC News
Police accept Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor search warrants were unlawful, court hears
(opens the publisher’s site)A High Court judge has quashed the search warrants Thames Valley Police used to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes before his February arrest.
- Mr Justice Hilliard ruled the warrants unlawful after Thames Valley Police conceded they were obtained under the wrong statutory provision.
- Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office over alleged sharing of sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein.
- The judge said quashing the warrants does not end the investigation, and police applied to retain seized property under a different provision.
- In late 2025 King Charles stripped his brother of his princely status and dukedom over his Epstein association.