Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is the first senior member of the Royal Family in modern history to have been arrested.
The events are made even more dramatic by the unprecedented statement from his brother, King Charles. “Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” says the unambiguous statement from the King, offering no hiding place or protection.
Andrew’s links to Epstein is a story decades in the making, and his downfall began with the gradual chipping away of his reputation before turning into an avalanche of disgrace.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in his associations with Epstein.
What makes his arrest resonate further is that it happened on Andrew’s 66th birthday. A year ago, he celebrated as Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, Earl of Inverness and Knight of the Garter.
Home Office heads-up about Andrew’s arrest was ‘routine’, police chiefs say
Earlier, we reported that the Home Office was given advance notice of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
We’ve now had an update on this from the National Police Chiefs’ Council, who says: “In line with routine practice, the National Police Chiefs’ Council alerted operational colleagues within the Home Office of the arrest.
“This gave 30 minutes’ notice before Thames Valley Police made the arrest.”
Donald Trump says Andrew case is ‘very sad thing’published at 20:51
Bernd Debusmann Jr
White House reporter
Image source,ReutersUS President Donald Trump has commented on the investigation
We’ve just heard from the journalists who form part of the travel pool for US President Donald Trump’s trip to Georgia today.
According to a print journalist travelling with the President, Trump briefly commented on the Andrew case, saying he believes it’s “a shame”.
“I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the Royal family. It’s very, very sad,” he said. “To me, it’s a very sad thing.
Trump also briefly mentioned King Charles, who is “obviously coming to our country very soon.”
“He’s a fantastic man, [the] King,” he said.
The president made similar remarks in November, saying that he felt “badly” for the Royal family after Andrew was stripped of his title.
Turning to the US, Trump added that “it’s really interesting because nobody used to speak about Epstein when he was alive, but now they speak.”
“But I’m the one that can talk about it because [I have] been totally exonerated. I did nothing,” Trump said.
