Police accept Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor search warrants were unlawful, court hears
Thames Valley Police has admitted in the High Court that search warrants used to raid Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes were unlawful. The force acknowledged that the information provided to the court to obtain the warrants was incorrect.
Why it matters
Raises significant questions about police conduct and judicial oversight in high-profile investigations involving public figures.
By Lucy Manning Special correspondent Published 8 October 2026, 14:32 BST Updated 12 minutes ago Thames Valley Police has accepted that the search warrants it used to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes earlier this year were unlawful, the High Court has heard.
The force accepted that the information given to the Old Bailey about warrants relating to their decision to search the former Prince Andrew's Sandringham home and the Royal Lodge in Windsor was incorrect.
Andrew was arrested by Thames Valley Police in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He denies any wrongdoing.
The warrants were issued before his arrest and his lawyers are challenging their lawfulness.
They have used a judicial review to challenge the actions of the chief constable of the force and the Central Criminal Court.
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