Epstein affair British connections

Former Prince Andrew released on bail – still a suspect

The former British prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been seen leaving the police station in Aylsham after almost twelve hours, British media report. The preliminary investigation into him for misconduct continues, Thames Valley Police say.

In pictures published by several media outlets, the former prince is seen on his way from the station slumped in the back seat of a car, a black Range Rover that, according to the BBC reporter, drove quickly past the line of journalists outside.

– He looked dazed and shocked, says Andrew's mother Queen Elizabeth's former press secretary Ailsa Anderson to the television channel, and states that the pictures show the former prince's "dramatic fall from the top".

Andrew was arrested at his home in Sandringham this morning. Police are investigating reports that he may have leaked classified information to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A simple cell with a bunk and a toilet awaits the former prince: "There will be no special treatment"

Former Prince Andrew can now be held by the authorities for a maximum of four days, but the most likely time is between 12 and 24 hours. Police commentator Danny Shaw told BBC Radio 5 Live shortly after the sensational arrest.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor will be placed in a completely ordinary cell with a bunk and a toilet, according to Shaw.

- There will be no special treatment for him.

However, legal expert Joshua Rosenberg believes that Andrew will be out soon. The former prince is unlikely to have much to say to the police and they hardly want to keep him overnight, Rosenberg told Sky News.

- That may be a reason why he is being arrested early in the morning.

An arrest does not indicate guilt, of course, but the whole situation points to Andrew's enormously long fall from prince in Buckingham Palace to suspect in a prison cell, writes the BBC.

Ex-police: An arrest indicates that they have strong evidence

The fact that ex-Prince Andrew is arrested indicates that the police have strong evidence. This is what former police chief Dal Babu tells Sky News.

The fact that a person is being investigated does not automatically lead to an arrest, he argues. The police could just as easily ask for a statement from his lawyers or summon Andrew for a scheduled police interview. An actual arrest therefore indicates that there is something concrete, according to Dal Babu.

The former police chief believes that the police had prepared an interview and an interrogation strategy before the arrest.

– They will present the questions to Andrew and I think that at this point his lawyer will probably advise him not to make any comments.

Andrew has repeatedly denied that he did anything criminal in the context of the Epstein investigation.

Andrew and Epstein — the case is relevant

• Britain's Prince Andrew has been accused of sexual assault for many years in connection with Jeffrey Epstein's sex crime scandal, including by Virginia Giuffre.
• Several legal proceedings have been initiated against Andrew in the United States and the United Kingdom, but he has consistently denied all allegations.
• Documents and testimonies have shown that Andrew had extensive contact with Epstein. He has spent extended stays at Epstein's home and frequently moved around the circle around him and Ghislaine Maxwell.
• The scandals have led to Andrew being stripped of his royal titles.
• As new Epstein documents have been released, Andrew has been drawn deeper into the tangle. The British court has increasingly distanced itself from Andrew.