Judge says search warrants used to seize property from former Prince Andrew were unlawful
A London judge has ruled that search warrants used by police to raid properties belonging to former Prince Andrew were unlawful. Justice Nicholas Hilliard confirmed that Thames Valley Police and a judge made significant errors when applying for and granting the warrants during an investigation into his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police previously conceded in July that the warrants were improper, giving the disgraced former royal a partial legal victory. However, a criminal investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor remains active, and authorities continue to retain seized material from his homes.
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- ✓ Justice Nicholas Hilliard said significant errors were made by Thames Valley Police in applying for search warrants and by a judge in granting them.
- ✓ Police investigating former Prince Andrew's links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein unlawfully searched his homes.
- ✓ A criminal investigation into the former prince continues and police have retained material seized from his homes.
- ✓ Police had previously conceded in July that the warrants were improper.
What changed
A London court officially quashed the search warrants after police conceded legal errors were made during the raids.
Live updates
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Search Warrants Used Against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Ruled Unlawful
A London judge has ruled that search warrants used by police to raid properties belonging to former Prince Andrew were unlawful. Justice Nicholas Hilliard confirmed that Thames Valley Police and a judge made significant errors when applying for and granting the warrants during an investigation into his links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Police previously conceded in July that the warrants were improper, giving the disgraced former royal a partial legal victory. However, a criminal investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor remains active, and authorities continue to retain seized material from his homes.
Why it matters
The High Court ruling marks a notable legal setback for law enforcement agencies investigating the former prince, who is now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. While the search warrants have been quashed due to procedural legal errors, the underlying investigation into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein persists. Unconfirmed reports also suggest friction within the royal family following the court outcome.
What is confirmed
- Justice Nicholas Hilliard said significant errors were made by Thames Valley Police in applying for search warrants and by a judge in granting them.
- Police investigating former Prince Andrew's links to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein unlawfully searched his homes.
- A criminal investigation into the former prince continues and police have retained material seized from his homes.
- Police had previously conceded in July that the warrants were improper.
Still unconfirmed
- King Charles is reportedly hopping mad over Andrew's legal win as his brother demands that the monarch admit he was wrong.
What to watch next
- Decisions on whether police will return seized property to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
- Further developments in the ongoing criminal investigation into his links to Jeffrey Epstein
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (29)
- www.bbc.com — BBC Home - Breaking News, World News, US News, Sports, Business...
- www.dailymail.com — UK Home | Daily Mail Online
- www.yahoo.com — Yahoo
- BBC — Police accept Andrew search warrants were unlawful, court hears
- The Guardian — Search warrants used in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor raids were unlawful, court rules
- Reuters — Ex-prince Andrew search warrants quashed after police accept legal error
- NBC News — Former Prince Andrew wins legal dispute over search warrants after Epstein-linked misconduct arrest
- AP News — Judge says search warrants used to seize property from former Prince Andrew were unlawful
- www.bbc.com — Warrants used to search Andrew's homes were unlawful, court says
- Yahoo — POLL: Does Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's High Court win change your opinion of him?
- Yahoo — Charles Reportedly ‘Hopping Mad’ Over Andrew’s Legal Win as His Brother Demands for the King the ‘Admit’ He Was ‘Wrong’
- abcnews.com — Judge says search warrants used to seize property from ex-Prince Andrew were unlawful
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