Police admit warrants used to search ex-prince Andrew’s homes were unlawful

Thames Valley Police has accepted that the search warrants used to raid the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor earlier this year were unlawful, the High Court has heard, the BBC reported.

The force said it accepted the “initial court’s decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was incorrect” when it was granted permission to search his properties on 19 February.

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He denies any wrongdoing. His lawyers are challenging the warrants through a judicial review of the actions of the force’s chief constable and the Central Criminal Court.

The arrest followed the publication by the US Department of Justice of documents suggesting he forwarded confidential information to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a UK trade envoy in 2010.

The court heard police took documents and electronic devices in the raids.

A force spokesperson said: “The agreement that led to the quashing of the warrants relates specifically to a decision made by the court regarding the legal basis for these and is not a judgement on our ongoing investigation.”

Legal proceedings continue over how the seized material will be handled.