British judge: Search warrants used to seize former Prince Andrew's property were illegal

A judge in London said on Thursday that the police who searched and seized the property of former British Prince Andrew as part of an investigation into his ties to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein acknowledged that the search warrants were unlawful.

Judge Nicholas Hilliard said the Metropolitan Police committed a serious error when applying for the search warrants during the search of the former prince’s property, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on February 19 on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, and police searched two of his residences.

Judge Hilliard said both sides agreed to quash the search warrants before Thursday’s hearing.

Mountbatten-Windsor was not present in court during the hearing.

The police investigation initially focused on allegations that Mountbatten-Windsor shared sensitive information with Epstein when the former prince served as the UK’s trade envoy, but the police later said they might also examine other matters.

Police questioned Mountbatten-Windsor for 11 hours before releasing him on bail, meaning he has neither been charged nor cleared of wrongdoing.