LONDON – British police investigating formerAndrew Mountbatten-Windsoronsuspicion of misconduct in public lifeare also assessing claims of misconduct includingpotential sexual crimes.
On Friday, May 22, investigators renewed their appeal for witnesses to come forward. "Our misconduct in public office investigation is continuing. Misconduct in public office is a crime that can take different forms, making this a complex investigation," Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wrightsaid in a statement.
Police say they are assessing reports "that a woman was taken to an address in Windsor in 2010 for sexual purposes." The woman has not been named.
Police said they had "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."
Former Prince Andrew, 66, was arrested in Februaryon suspicion of misconduct in public office during his time as U.K. trade envoy, a role he held from 2001 to 2011. Misconduct in public office is a complicated offense that covers many different forms including fraud, sexual misconduct and willful neglect of duty. The offense carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.
Andrew, stripped of his royal titles andevicted from his home at Royal Lodge, has continuously denied allegations against him.
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"The investigation is examining a number of aspects of alleged misconduct following the release of files under the Epstein Files Transparency Act in the United States," the statement said.
Documents released by the U.S. Justice Department indicate that Andrew allegedly passed confidential government information to Epstein during his time as U.K. trade envoy. Police say they have spent the months since Andrew's arrest working with the U.S. Justice Department to gather further information that may be related to the investigation.
Virginia Roberts Giuffre, one of Epstein's trafficking victims, said she wascoerced as a teenager into repeatedly having sex with the former princeas part of Epstein’s sex-trafficking ring. Giuffre died by suicide in 2025. Andrew has denied Giuffre's allegations against him.
Thames Valley Police said Friday that officers "are actively supporting national policing in contacting Epstein victims and survivors."
British mediareportedFriday that detectives are concerned the public may think the ongoing investigation into Andrew is solely focused on the passing of confidential information, which is why they are renewing calls for witnesses to come forward and drawing attention to the myriad behaviors that might constitute misconduct.
"We hope that anyone with relevant information will come forward whenever they are ready to engage with us; our door is always open," the statement said.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ex-Prince Andrew investigation widens following Epstein file release