Police asking Andrew's protection officers what 'they saw or heard' as part of Epstein files review

Summary

The Metropolitan Police says it is asking Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's protection officers what "they saw or heard" during their period of service
Separately, Thames Valley Police is expected to continue searching Andrew's former Windsor home - Royal Lodge - until Monday, the BBC understands
The former prince was released from custody after 11 hours on Thursday night, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office - here's why he was arrested and how the day unfolded
He was pictured returning to the Sandringham Estate after being released under investigation - this means Andrew is free to go as he pleases, our legal correspondent explains
The arrest, first reported by the BBC, comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein
Meanwhile, the government is considering legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession, the BBC understands
Andrew has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein; he has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment on the specific allegations in relation to the release of millions of Epstein files in January

Live Reporting

Edited by Alex Smith and Charlotte Hadfield, with Sean Dilley and Daniel Wittenberg reporting from Royal Lodge

Significant development on Andrew's connections with Epsteinpublished at 10:20 GMT 19 February
Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

My understanding is that there’s been a very significant development in the investigation into the Epstein files. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested this morning on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
That goes back to documents from when he was a trade envoy, that are alleged to have been passed to Epstein.
It was the Mail Online this morning that had some pictures of what looked like police officers near the Sandringham Estate. I was able to confirm that there has been an arrest made this morning.
It’s Thames Valley Police who have been looking into these allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
They have been looking into allegations of misconduct in public office and allegations that a second woman was sent to the UK by Jeffrey Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
My understanding is that this arrest is just about the misconduct in public office and obviously a very significant moment that the former prince has been arrested.
He has previously strenuously denied any wrongdoing on any of these matters related to Epstein.
Hard to think of any precedent for this arrestpublished at 10:20 GMT 19 February
Sean Coughlan
Royal correspondent

This is another extraordinary development in what has been an extraordinary story.
It’s hard to think of any precedent for the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the King’s brother.
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but this still has the capacity to shock and surprise as breaking news.

Everything we know about Andrew's arrest so farpublished at 10:16 GMT 19 February

In the last few minutes we have learned that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested. Here are the key details.
- Thames Valley Police arrested Andrew, who turns 66 today, earlier this morning
- The former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office and he is in custody
- Police are searching addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk
- Thames Valley Police said he was arrested after a "thorough assessment", with an investigation now opened
Police statement in full as Andrew arrestedpublished at 10:10 GMT 19 February
Breaking

We've now seen a statement from Thames Valley police, which says:
"As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk.
"The man remains in police custody at this time.
"We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court."
Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.
“It is important that we protect the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work with our partners to investigate this alleged offence.
“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

Cars seen arriving at Sandringham Estate in Norfolk earlierpublished at 10:09 GMT 19 February

At the moment, we still don't know which force has arrested Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, but vehicles - believed to be unmarked police cars - were seen earlier this morning at Sandringham in Norfolk, where he has been living since leaving his home in Windsor.
This is the first time the former prince, who has faced numerous allegations over this links to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, has been arrested.
Andrew has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
BBC News understand he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
We do not know the particulars of this arrest but as soon as we have more detail we will bring it to you.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, BBC understandspublished at 10:00 GMT 19 February
Breaking
Lucy Manning
Special correspondent

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the BBC understands.