Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested as it happened: Former prince returns to Sandringham estate after being in custody for 11 hours; police ask protection officers what they ‘saw or heard’

This is where we will end our live updates on the fallout from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest and release from custody. Thanks so much for joining us today.

Let’s take a quick look at the key information that has emerged today.

• Despite Mountbatten-Windsor’s release from custody, the 66-year-old remains under investigation for his ties to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. He has neither been charged nor exonerated by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
• Officers will continue to search his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, until Monday according to BBC News. London’s Metropolitan Police have also asked Mountbatten-Windsor’s former protection officers to consider what they “saw or heard” while working for him.
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will consider passing a law to remove the former Prince Andrew from the royal line of succession. He is currently eighth in line for the throne. According to a YouGov poll released on Friday, the change would have strong public support, with 82 per cent of the 7242 British voters polled agreeing they wanted him removed.
• If the British government pushes forward with him from the line of succession, it will need to be put into law across more than a dozen Commonwealth countries – including Australia and New Zealand – which have King Charles as their monarch.
• There’s been no sign of Mountbatten-Windsor since his release from custody and return to Sandringham in Norfolk yesterday.
• The Met said it was also investigating reports stemming from the Epstein files that London airports may have been used for human trafficking or sexual exploitation.

A UK minister says removing the former prince from the line of succession for the Crown would be the “right thing” to do, regardless of the outcome of the current police investigation.

Minister of State for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard told BBC Radio 4 the government had been working directly with Buckingham Palace on plans to remove any potential claim to the throne by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The British government has signalled plans to remove him from the royal line of succession following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Mountbatten-Windsor was for many years the second in line to the throne, but is now eighth.

British MP Rachael Maskell argued in parliament in February that Andrew being “seven steps from the Crown” was an “unacceptable risk”.

Pollard said he hoped removing him from the line of succession would have cross-party support, but any changes would have to wait until the police investigation concluded.

As the UK government considers removing Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor from the royal line of succession, it’s a good time to get reacquainted with who exactly is ahead of him.

For many years, the then Prince Andrew was second in line to the throne, after his older brother Charles. But he is now eighth.

The current heir to the throne is Prince William, followed by his three children – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Then comes Prince Harry who has distanced himself from the royal family, followed by his two children Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

After Mountbatten‑Windsor comes his oldest daughter Princess Beatrice, who has retained her title despite her father being stripped of his.

London: The British government has signalled plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor from the royal line of succession following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, as police launched further inquiries into his former security team.

The proposal will depend on the outcome of the police investigation but it represents a dramatic reversal on the government stance last year, as new polling shows strong public support for the official act to ensure the former Prince Andrew could never become king.

The plan, briefed by the UK government to the British media, sets up a decision for Australia and other Commonwealth nations that would need to pass laws to alter the line of succession in order to reflect the popular will and the law in Westminster.

Read the full article here.

London’s Metropolitan Police say they are aware of reports stemming from the Jeffrey Epstein files that London airports may have been used for human trafficking or sexual exploitation.

As part of a long statement released at 4pm on Friday (London time) – which separately included updates on the probe into Andrew Mountbatten‑Windsor – the Met stated it was considering the newly released information about London’s airports.

“We are assessing this information and are actively seeking further detail from law enforcement partners, including those in the United States.”