Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrest leaves Republican 'gobsmacked' as disgraced royal is taken into custody

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested by Thames Valley Police on his 66th birthday at his residence on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.

In a statement confirming his arrest, police said: "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."

Responding to the arrest, King Charles declared unequivocally that "the law must take its course", while pledging "full and wholehearted support and co-operation" with investigating authorities.

His Majesty said in a statement: "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

"What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.

"In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

"As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all."

Reacting to the arrest, Mr Smith told the People's Channel: "I'm gobsmacked to begin with. I never thought this would actually happen.

"I think something seismic has happened here. This is a completely different situation for the monarchy, and it's going to have a huge impact on the way people relate to it."

Criticising the monarch's statement in response to the arrest, Mr Smith said: "There have been allegations about Andrew for at least 15 years going back to 2011, certainly allegations from Virginia Giuffre for example.

"And the big question that the royals have to answer now is what they knew and when, and what we really need is not just bland statements from palace officials saying, yes, of course, justice must be seen to be done.

"What we need is a direct statement to camera in front of journalists from Charles and William saying we are going to make sure that all the information is available, we're not going to get in the way, and we don't want anybody to feel that they should."

Pushing back on Mr Smith's remarks, host Tom Harwood questioned why a statement to camera is necessary when the King has already issued a clear statement.

Mr Smith responded: "So they can be challenged, and so they can be asked questions about what they knew and when. These are public officials, they should be in the same way that politicians are expected to face up to journalists, they should as well.

"There's no reason why Charles, in the same way that Starmer has fronted up in front of cameras, there's no reason why Charles shouldn't do the same thing and take questions."

Andrew has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing amid the ongoing allegations.

The former senior royal was relocated to the remote Norfolk property following his departure from his previous Windsor residence in the wake of the Epstein scandal.

Appearing in the Epstein files is not evidence of any wrongdoing and Inclusion in the documents does not implicate anyone in Epstein's criminality.

GB News has contacted Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on the above allegations.

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