Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has come under fresh police scrutiny over possible sex crimes that took place at royal properties — Police are appealing for “victim survivors” to come forward.
Detectives have announced that a misconduct in public office probe into the former prince has broadened to consider a wide range of offences, including sexual misconduct and corruption.
Investigators are keen to speak with a woman, who claimed Jeffrey Epstein sent her to have sex with Andrew at his now-former home Royal Lodge for “sexual purposes” in 2010 when she was in her 20s.
The police have also appealed for more survivors of pedophile sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to come forward
NYPost reports: Thames Valley cops have not launched a criminal investigation yet, but have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.
“We hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward whenever they are ready to engage with us; our door is always open,” Oliver Wright, the Assistant Chief Constable, said, confirming the woman had not yet come forward.
“There is a risk that the victim survivors may be put off from contacting us because they feel the weight of public, national and international focus will be too much for them.”
Wright said officers would listen and investigate when “she feels ready and able … to come forward and talk to us.”
The latest allegations marked the first time an Epstein accuser claimed to have had sex with Andrew at a royal residence.
Cops are widening their inquiry into Andrew’s stint as UK trade envoy, which he served between 2001 and 2011, and are also probing claims of fraud, corruption, bullying, and perverting justice.
The ex-royal was arrested in February on allegations of suspected misconduct in public office, an offense which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the UK.
“People mistakenly think we are looking at finance-based crime, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” an investigative source told Sky News.
“Misconduct in public office covers many others, including sex offences, fraud, corruption, perverting the course of justice and others.
We have a much broader view. We are investigating all aspects and we will go where the evidence leads us.”
Andrew’s home on the Sandringham Estate, located in eastern England, as well as the Royal Lodge in Berkshire, were searched after he was arrested.
Wright said the investigation “is by necessity hugely thorough and will take time.
“It’s not going to be a quick investigation by any means.”
“There’s a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining. So we’re speaking with a range of witnesses,” said Wright, who did not refer to Mountbatten-Windsor by name, as is customary in Britain before someone is charged.
The bombshell development comes after it emerged that Andrew’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth, was “very keen” for him to be given his trade envoy job.
“The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests,” the head of Britain’s trade body wrote in a letter, which was released by the UK Government Thursday related to the former royal’s appointment.
Another document, a government memo sent to UK trade staff around the world, says that “HRH’s high public profile” will require “careful and sometimes strict media management,” in a reference to Andrew.
UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant said no evidence regarding a formal vetting process was found to have taken place prior to Andrew’s appointment.
“There is also no evidence that this was considered,” he said.
“This is understandable since this new appointment was a continuation of the royal family’s involvement in trade and investment promotion work following the Duke of Kent’s decision to relinquish his duties as Vice-Chairman of the Overseas Trade Board.”