Andrew wins legal claim against police over search of his homes

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has won his legal claim against Thames Valley Police over raids on his homes after the High Court ruled they were unlawful. A criminal investigation into the former prince over alleged misconduct in public office is ongoing despite his legal victory. The former Duke of York had launched a legal challenge against the force over the lawfulness of the warrants issued by a judge at the Old Bailey allowing officers to raid his residence on the Sandringham Estate and his former Windsor home, Royal Lodge, in February. Shorts At a hearing at the Royal Courts of Justice on Thursday, which Andrew did not attend, Mr Justice Hilliard said that “agreement was reached between the claimant and Thames Valley Police that the search warrants were unlawful”. But the judge also said that “the fact that the search warrants were quashed does not bring an investigation to an end, or mean that the whole of the investigation was unlawful”. Thames Valley Police agreed the search warrants which gave officers permission to enter Mountbatten-Windsor’s properties were unlawful. In a statement, a spokesman for the force said the initial court’s decision to issue warrants under the specific piece of legislation used was “incorrect and therefore these must be legally quashed”. He added: “Legal proceedings are currently ongoing to decide how material seized during the searches will be managed and whether we can lawfully retain it in support of our ongoing investigation. “Our investigation into alleged misconduct in public office by a man in his 60s from Norfolk remains ongoing, and we continue to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry to effectively and fairly progress this investigation.” This is a breaking news story and it is being updated EXPLORE MORE ON THE TOPICS IN THIS STORY