Britain’sformer prince Andrew was arrested and released under investigation in a day of drama. What is he being probed for? Could he be jailed? And what next?
British police are investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor — who was stripped of his royal titles last year over his alleged connections to Jeffrey Epstein — for misconduct in public office during his time as a UK trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.
New revelations from the latest documents relating to Epstein released by the United States last month include emails in which Andrew appeared to share potentially confidential information with the late US sex offender.
In a November 2010 email seen by AFP, Andrew appeared to send the US financier reports on his visit to several Asian countries.
Another email, a month later, seemed to show the former prince sending Epstein a briefing about investment opportunities in Afghanistan.
Official guidance is thought to require trade envoys to have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive commercial or political information.
The former prince has previously denied all wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.
The offence concerns “serious wilful abuse or neglect of the power or responsibilities” in public office, according to the Crown Prosecution Service, which brings criminal cases in England and Wales.
It carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, according to the CPS.
According to constitutional law expert Mark Stephens, however, there are “no sentencing guidelines”, and the penalty could range anywhere from a fine to a life term.
Source: Insider Paper
