Detectives probing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein are being frustrated by the US Department of Justice and won’t be able to send the case to the CPS to decide on any charges before 2027.
Police are said to be struggling following his arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, in part because they are yet to receive any help from American investigators.
Andrew was detained after details about his friendship with paedophile Epstein were revealed in documents released by the US government.
Emails appeared to show that the former Duke of York passed reports of official visits to countries including Singapore and Vietnam as part of his role as a UK trade envoy to Epstein.
But Thames Valley Police this week confirmed it is holding a wider probe into other allegations against Andrew, and is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The force is said to be concerned about a public perception that only the alleged sharing of official information with Epstein is being investigated, and only misconduct involving the state rather than individuals.
As part of this, it stressed it is also looking into a claim that a woman was brought to the UK to have sex with Andrew.
With such a wide scope, the investigation could take up to two years – the CPS is not expected to be able to bring any charges before 2027.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, pictured leaving Aylsham Police Station in February, is being investigated by the police over potential sexual offences
The former prince is seen crouching over an unidentified woman in one of the photos released in the Epstein files
Misconduct in public office is a notoriously difficult charge to prove, but can encompass anything from sexual misconduct to corruption, dishonesty and improper influence. It carries a maximum life sentence in prison.
Investigators must find evidence that Andrew deliberately acted in a way he knew was wrong while holding public office, or that he acted with wilful neglect.
A key part of detectives’ investigation rests on obtaining unredacted copies of the emails released in the Epstein files from the Department of Justice.
They have had to make a formal request for access to the emails, with the originals needed to launch any prosecution, under a legal agreement between Britain and the United States.
The process used to try and obtain the documents takes around a year, and there is no guarantee they will be released.
So far, it is understood no such files have been shared with Thames Valley Police.
Earlier this year, head of the Met Police Sir Mark Rowley travelled to Washington himself to press for the release of unredacted exchanges between Epstein and Peter Mandelson.
Mandelson was also previously arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office for his contact with the paedophile while in government.
Both Andrew and Mandelson deny any wrongdoing.
It comes as the force issued a major update in their investigation this week and said officers were broadening the probe to – amongst other matters – look into sexual misconduct and corruption.
Officers are assessing separate claims that Jeffrey Epstein sent a woman to the UK for sex with Andrew in 2010, mirroring accusations made by the late Virginia Giuffre (pictured with Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell in 2001)
Police seized evidence in raids of Andrew’s former home at Royal Lodge, Windsor, and his new property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, which officers are now said to be ‘carefully working through’.
Officers have already conducted interviews with multiple witnesses and have appealed for ‘victim survivors’ to come forward.
They have already been in touch with the Crown Prosecution Service for ‘early investigative advice’ – a practice common in complex and serious investigations.
The force said it is still assessing reports that a woman in her 20s was sent by Epstein to the UK to have sex with Andrew in 2010.
She is said to have spent the night with the then-prince at Royal Lodge before later having tea and being given a tour of Buckingham Palace.
She is the only Epstein accuser who says she slept with Andrew at a royal residence.
Detectives have spoken to lawyer Brad Edwards for the alleged victim, who has not been identified. But officers are yet to carry out interviews because she has not made a formal complaint to police.
In an interview with the Daily Mail earlier this year, Mr Edwards said of his client: ‘She was severely exploited by Jeffrey Epstein. An extension of that was the exploitation of her by Prince Andrew.
‘She’s a strong person. She wants to believe in justice but it’s very difficult in light of what she knows.
‘We need some cooperation and we need somebody with a conscience and a real desire to make things right.’
Mr Edwards represents more than 200 victims of Epstein and previously called for the Palace to sit down with his client to discuss her allegations.
Meanwhile the family of Virginia Giuffre, who also alleged she had been trafficked to the UK by Epstein for sex with Andrew, said that police update is ‘huge’ and gives them hope.
Speaking to Sky News on Friday, Ms Giuffre’s sister-in-law, Amanda Roberts, said: ‘I think initially it’s very encouraging.
‘You know, initially it was only we were hearing that it was going to be investigations of conduct, like sharing government information.
‘And to hear that the potential of investigating sexual crimes, that is huge. It is more than what we are seeing here in this country and it actually gives us hope.
‘And Virginia paved the way for that. If it wasn’t for her courage and her bravery and being persistent in her truth, you know, we wouldn’t be here and we are so thankful for the police to really be taking this seriously.
‘And it was good news for us today so I think we’re very hopeful.’
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the force had assembled a dedicated team of its ‘most experienced specialist investigators’, which include detectives experienced in investigating serious sexual attacks and financial experts.
He confirmed they had spoken to a number of witnesses, but said he hopes others will come forward to shed light on Andrew’s relationship with the paedophile.
‘I really want to stress that our door is open. Whenever a victim survivor is ready to engage with us, we’re ready for you at whatever point that may be,’ the Assistant Chief Constable said.
‘In terms of Epstein victims and survivors, we hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward.’
Describing progress in the investigation, he said: ‘We have been working really closely with the Department of Justice Office in the US seeking further information that may be related to this investigation. We have also been working really closely with the CPS.
‘There’s a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining so we’re speaking with a range of witnesses. We do really want to get the message across that we’re encouraging anyone with information to get in touch with us.’
He warned that the inquiry could take months before detectives are ready to submit a file of evidence to the CPS to consider whether to bring criminal charges.
The senior officer added: ‘The investigation is by necessity hugely thorough, and will take time. We’re proceeding with real care and caution.’
The update came just a day after the release of new documents on Thursday relating to Andrew’s appointment as trade envoy.
They revealed that the late Queen was ‘very keen’ for her son to take on a ‘prominent role in the promotion of national interests’ when her cousin, the Duke of Kent, stepped down from the role.
Andrew had a preference for missions to ‘sophisticated countries’ but should not be ‘burdened’ with the meetings and paperwork associated with the role, the files released by the Government showed.
The 15-page document was published following pressure from MPs.
Detectives are also speaking to officials in the Cabinet Office and Buckingham Palace, which has previously released a statement confirming staff stand ‘ready to support’ police.
