Key facts
- Thames Valley Police accepted search warrants for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes were unlawful.
- The force admitted providing incorrect information to obtain the warrants.
- The warrants were issued before Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest.
- Material seized included legally privileged items not covered by the warrants.
- The High Court ruled the warrants unlawful due to procedural non-compliance.
- An investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s remains ongoing.
Thames Valley Police has accepted that search warrants used to raid the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earlier this year were unlawful, the High Court heard. The force admitted that the information provided to the Old Bailey about the warrants for his Sandringham home and Royal Lodge in Windsor was incorrect.
Justice Hilliard stated on Thursday that the police force had not followed the correct procedure when obtaining the documents. The evidence obtained during the searches included items that were either subject to legal privilege or 'special procedure material', neither of which were covered by the warrant. The judge added that such non-compliance was sufficient to make the warrants unlawful.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, which he denies. The warrants were issued before his arrest, and his lawyers have been challenging their lawfulness through a judicial review. The court heard that the investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s remains ongoing.
A further hearing is due to take place next year when Thames Valley Police will attempt to obtain the same material using another warrant. The quashing of the warrants does not bring the investigation to an end.