Former British PrinceAndrew Mountbatten-Windsorwas arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office amid an ongoing probe into his relationship with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, marking a stunning fall from grace for the ex-royal who was stripped of his titles last year.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The force said it was “carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk". It is the first time the former prince, who has faced numerous allegations over this links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested.

Andrew’s arrest marks an unprecedented moment in Britain’s political history, as no other member of the UK’s royal family has been charged with misconduct of public office in the past. Meanwhile, King Charles III said he learned “with the deepest concern" of his younger brother’s arrest, and stressed that “the law must take its course."

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also said that Andrew was not above the law and suggested that he testify before the US Congress over his ties with Epstein.

ALSO READ:Trade Envoy To Disgraced Prince: Who Is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, Arrested On His 66th Birthday?

What’s ‘Misconduct In Public Office’?

According to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), misconduct in public office refers to “serious wilful abuse of powers relating to the role in public office". It states there must be a direct link between the misconduct and an abuse of those powers or responsibilities without reasonable excuse or justification.

In a legal context, “wilful" abuse means “deliberately doing something which is wrong, knowing it to be wrong or with reckless indifference as to whether it is wrong or not." It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment if the accused is proven guilty.

Prosecuting Andrew will be a challenge, as the police have to prove that he willfully misconducted himself while serving as the UK’s trade envoy. The CPS website states that there is no simple definition of a “public officer".

ALSO READ:Former Prince Andrew Arrested: Which UK Royal Figures Have Faced Legal Action Before?

Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News