Four things to know as Andrew ‘investigated over incident with woman’ at Ascot

The UK police force investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is thought to be examining an allegation he behaved inappropriately towards a woman at Royal Ascot.

The alleged incident at the racing festival attended by members of the Royal Family dates back to June 2002, according to a Sunday Times report.

It comes after Thames Valley Police made clear that it was examining sexual misconduct claims against the former prince as part of its wider probe into possible misconduct in public office.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by the force in February over allegations he passed sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein while serving as UK trade envoy.

The former prince, stripped of his titles over his ties to the late paedophile Epstein, was released under investigation and denied wrongdoing.

New allegation at Royal Ascot

Police detectives are looking into an allegation that Andrew behaved inappropriately towards a woman at Royal Ascot between June 18 and 22 in 2002.

It is unclear whether police received a report of any alleged offence at the time of the racing festival, or whether it was reported to the force more recently.

Thames Valley Police are understood to be pursuing the matter as part of its investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor over the potential offence of misconduct in public office.

Queen Elizabeth II attended the event in Berkshire that year alongside other members of the royal family. Andrew was pictured at the 2002 races with his brother King Charles, then the Prince of Wales, and his daughter Princess Beatrice.

Mountbatten-Windsor had hosted Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell in the royal enclosure at Ascot on Ladies’ Day in June 2000.

Police are investigating a wide range of claims

Thames Valley Police, probing potential misconduct in public office, said on Friday that it was looking at a much broader range of allegations than previously understood.

The definition of the misconduct in public office offence can include both sexual misconduct and financial misconduct, the force made clear.

Detectives are understood to be worried the public believe they are only focused on accusations about the former prince’s time as a trade envoy.

Oliver Wright, an assistant chief constable at Thames Valley, said misconduct in public office “can take different forms”, adding that “whenever a ­victim-survivor is ready to engage with us, we’re ready for you”.

Thames Valley officers are currently assessing a claim by a woman that she was sent by Epstein to Royal Lodge for sex with Andrew in 2010, before being given a tour of Buckingham Palace.

They have contacted the woman’s lawyer, Brad Edwards, who initially spoke to the BBC about the allegations said to have occurred when she was in her 20s.

Met Police pass on Virginia Giuffre files

Thames Valley Police detectives are said to have been given access to Metropolitan Police files on Virginia Giuffre, who accused Andrew of sexually assaulting her when she was 17.

The i Paper understands that the Met Police and Thames Valley Police are working together and co-ordinate on investigations.

Andrew paid Giuffre, a woman he claimed never to have met, millions of pounds to settle a civil suit in the US in 2022. The settlement did not carry an admission of liability.

The sister-in-law of Giuffre, who died by suicide last year aged 41, welcomed news of a wider-than-expected probe.

“It actually gives us hope,” she told Sky News. “We are so thankful to Thames Valley police for taking this seriously.”

Politicians will talk to police about misconduct claims

Thames Valley is thought to be interested in speaking to a series of witnesses who came into contact with Andrew during his time as a trade envoy.

Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment from 2001 until 2011, when he stepped down amid controversy over his friendship with Epstein.

Documents released by the US Department for Justice suggested that the then-prince had shared sensitive trade documents with Epstein in 2010.

Sir Vince Cable, the senior Liberal Democrat who was Business Secretary at the end of Andrew’s time as trade envoy, has said the police had contacted him about giving a witness statement.

“I’ve been notified that I will be interviewed and I’m very happy to co-operate,” the former cabinet minister said.

Newly-released documents show that the late Queen was “very keen” for Mountbatten-Windsor to have a “prominent role in the promotion of national interests”, before he was appointed trade envoy.

The memo was released on Thursday as part of a trove of files related to Andrew’s appointment to the post, which gave him access to government and business contacts around the world.

Asked about the Royal Ascot allegation, a Thames Valley Police spokesperson said: “We cannot go into specifics of the investigation, but we are following all reasonable lines of enquiry.”

Mountbatten-Windsor’s office was contacted for comment.

المصدر: iNews