Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor begins ‘long overdue fightback’ after court victory

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is reportedly mounting a “long overdue fightback” after search warrants used to raid two of his properties were formally quashed.

The former Duke of York felt “vindicated” after Thames Valley Police agreed on Thursday that search warrants which allowed officers to raid his properties were unlawful, according to reports.

Police raided his residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge in February while he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Now, as a criminal investigation continues, both sides will engage in another court battle as to whether the force can use the material seized from Mr Mountbatten Windsor’s premises. A hearing in the case will be held in private in 2027.

A friend of the former duke told The Telegraph they were “delighted” he had “finally decided to fight his corner”.

“Many of us are delighted that he has finally decided to fight his corner. He’s been under fire for 15 long years and yet has never been charged, let alone convicted,” they said.

“It’s the opposite of British justice – guilty until proven innocent is not how things should work in this country. Let’s hope this is the first stage of a long overdue fightback, and not the last.”

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his titles at the start of November by his brother King Charles and told he would have to move out of the Royal Lodge. He officially moved out in February, moving on to the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where he has rarely been seen in public since.

He was then arrested on his 66th birthday this year following allegations he shared sensitive information with Jeffrey Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy. The former Duke of York was then interviewed for 12 hours at Aylsham police station under caution before being released under investigation, and has denied any wrongdoing.

Mr Justice Hilliard said a “significant error” was made in the application for search warrants issued by an Old Bailey judge to search Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s properties, and that was “enough to render the warrants, the searches and the material seized unlawful.”

Police have made a legal application to hold on to the material under a different provision.

A Thames Valley Police spokesperson said that the agreement to quash the warrants was not a judgement of their ongoing investigation.

The force said: “The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court regarding the legal basis for these and is not a judgement on our ongoing investigation.

“We ensured the court was presented with all the necessary information and paperwork to inform their decision, following the correct legal processes throughout. We accept the position that the initial court’s decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was incorrect and therefore these must be legally quashed.

“Legal proceedings are currently ongoing to decide how material seized during the searches will be managed and whether we can lawfully retain it in support of our ongoing investigation.

“Our investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk remains ongoing, and we continue to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to effectively and fairly progress this investigation.

“Due to these ongoing legal proceedings, we cannot currently provide further comment.”