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Former Prince Andrew is being investigated over potential sex crimes as British police have appealed for witnesses on Friday.
Investigators are keen to speak with a woman, who claimed she was taken to the royal residence, Royal Lodge, in Windsor for “sexual purposes” when she was in her 20s in 2010.
Thames Valley cops have contacted her lawyer, but have not launched a criminal investigation yet, according to Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright.
“We have engaged with the woman’s legal representative to confirm that, should she wish to report this to police, it will be taken seriously and handled with care, sensitivity and respect for her privacy and her right for anonymity,” Wright said.
Wright said officers would listen and investigate when “she feels ready and able … to come forward and talk to us.”
The latest allegations marked the first time a Jeffrey Epstein accuser claimed to have had sex with Andrew at a royal residence.
Officers are appealing for more potential Epstein survivors to come forward.
Cops are widening their inquiry into Andrew’s stint as UK trade envoy, which he served between 2001 and 2011, and are also probing claims of fraud, corruption, bullying, and perverting justice.
The ex-royal was arrested in February on allegations of suspected misconduct in public office, an offense which carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment in the UK.
“People mistakenly think we are looking at finance-based crime, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” an investigative source told Sky News.
“Misconduct in public office covers many others, including sex offences, fraud, corruption, perverting the course of justice and others.
“We have a much broader view. We are investigating all aspects and we will go where the evidence leads us.”
Andrew’s home on the Sandringham Estate, located in eastern England, as well as the Royal Lodge in Berkshire, were searched after he was arrested.
Wright said the investigation “is by necessity hugely thorough and will take time.
“It’s not going to be a quick investigation by any means.”
“There’s a number of aspects of alleged misconduct that the investigation is examining. So we’re speaking with a range of witnesses,” said Wright, who did not refer to Mountbatten-Windsor by name, as is customary in Britain before someone is charged.
The bombshell development comes after it emerged that Andrew’s late mother, Queen Elizabeth, was “very keen” for him to be given his trade envoy job.
“The Queen is very keen that the Duke of York should take on a prominent role in the promotion of national interests,” the head of Britain’s trade body wrote in a letter, which was released by the UK Government Thursday related to the former royal’s appointment.
Another document, a government memo sent to UK trade staff around the world, says that “HRH’s high public profile” will require “careful and sometimes strict media management,” in a reference to Andrew.
UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant said no evidence regarding a formal vetting process was found to have taken place prior to Andrew’s appointment.
“There is also no evidence that this was considered,” he said.
“This is understandable since this new appointment was a continuation of the royal family’s involvement in trade and investment promotion work following the Duke of Kent’s decision to relinquish his duties as Vice-Chairman of the Overseas Trade Board.”
Andrew was forced to surrender the role due to concerns about his links to questionable figures in Libya and Azerbaijan.
Andrew is still 8th in line to the British throne, but he was stripped of his royal titles by King Charles last October.
With Post wires
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