Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Challenges Police Over Epstein Raid as Force Fights to Keep Key Court Documents Secret

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has launched a judicial review against Thames Valley Police in a bid to quash search warrants used during an investigation into his links to Jeffrey Epstein, while the force is seeking to restrict access to documents connected to the case.

The warrants, issued by a Central Criminal Court judge on 18 February, allowed officers to search Mountbatten-Windsor's residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former home at Royal Lodge in Windsor. He was arrested the following day, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

A private High Court hearing is scheduled for Thursday, 8 October at 2pm before Mr Justice Hilliard. The initial proceedings will concern Thames Valley Police's application to restrict access to court documents relating to the judicial review. The force is expected to argue that releasing material could affect its ongoing criminal investigation.

Mountbatten-Windsor Challenges Search Warrants

Mountbatten-Windsor has been granted permission to challenge whether Thames Valley Police acted lawfully over the searches relating to his arrest, according to reports. He is seeking to have the warrants quashed through the judicial review.

The searches of the Sandringham property and Royal Lodge ended on 24 February. Mountbatten-Windsor was interviewed under caution for around 11 hours after his arrest before being released under investigation. He has denied wrongdoing over his links to Epstein and has not been charged with an offence.

Thursday's hearing is not a trial into the allegations against him. The Judicial Office said it will begin in private and concern the police application to restrict access to documents relating to the judicial review. It is not known whether Mountbatten-Windsor will attend.

Police Seek Restrictions on Court Documents

Thames Valley Police is seeking to limit access to documents connected to Mountbatten-Windsor's challenge. The Judicial Office confirmed that the Thursday hearing will concern the force's application to restrict access to the court documents.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: 'Whilst our investigation into misconduct in public office continues, we are engaged in legal proceedings in relation to warrants previously obtained from the Central Criminal Court. As these legal proceedings are currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.'

The criminal investigation concerns allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor improperly shared sensitive government information with Epstein while serving as the UK's trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. Police have not charged him and the investigation remains ongoing.

The judicial review concerns the lawfulness of the police action surrounding the warrants. A successful challenge would not itself determine whether Mountbatten-Windsor committed the alleged offence.

King Will Not Fund Legal Challenge

The legal action follows King Charles III's decision last year to strip his brother of his royal titles over his association with Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor receives private financial support from the King. However, a Palace source said the money should not be used to finance the judicial review.

The source said Mountbatten-Windsor's legal defence was a matter for him and his lawyers, with Buckingham Palace having no role in determining its strategy.

The High Court has yet to rule on whether the search warrants should be quashed. Thursday's hearing will first address whether documents relating to the challenge should remain restricted while the police investigation continues.