Thames Valley detectives are encountering significant obstacles in their efforts to prosecute Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor over allegations he shared classified material with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, sources have claimed.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into custody in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office connected to his former position as a Government trade envoy. He has categorically denied any wrongdoing.
Investigators are thought to be finding it challenging to assemble sufficient evidence because the offence carries a "high bar" for prosecution.
To secure a conviction, officers must demonstrate that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor "deliberately" engaged in conduct he knew to be improper or showed "reckless indifference" to his duties.
Police are 'struggling' to secure evidence in the Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor investigation, sources have claimed
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The inquiry has now widened to encompass alleged sexual misconduct and corruption offences, all falling under the umbrella of misconduct in public office.
Detectives have issued a public appeal for victims to come forward, stressing that the charge represents "a crime that can take different forms".
Witness interviews have already taken place, and searches of Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's Sandringham residence in Norfolk and his former home at Royal Lodge on the Windsor estate have yielded evidence, sources indicate.
The operation is staffed at levels comparable to major crime investigations such as murder cases, with specialist sexual offence detectives assigned to the team.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011 | GETTYA policing source told the Times: "They are struggling to get the evidence they need, which is why they've broadened their appeal."
Officers are also facing hurdles in obtaining unredacted correspondence between Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein from the US Department of Justice.
A formal application has been lodged for authenticated copies of the emails, which are essential for any prosecution under bilateral legal arrangements between Britain and America.
This mutual legal assistance request typically requires around 12 months to process, and there remains no certainty that American authorities will ultimately hand over the documents.
Epstein pleaded guilty to prostitution charges, including one involving a minor, in 2008 and served 18 months in prison | GETTYMr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday following the release of material by the Department of Justice suggesting he had forwarded confidential information to Epstein during his 2010 and 2011 trade missions to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
The prosecution's case may receive a boost from government papers released on Thursday, which detail Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's official responsibilities with British Trade International.
These documents reveal he was expected to act in a "representational and promotional capacity" for BTI, the body charged with advancing British trade and investment interests abroad.
His brief encompassed championing UK exporters, encouraging outward investment and attracting foreign business to Britain.
Andrew was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office and subsequently released on investigation | REUTERSThe papers indicate his overseas engagements were requested through BTI directors and coordinated by Whitehall officials, with departmental oversight applied to proposals involving the former duke.
Prosecutors must establish that any misconduct was directly connected to his official role to meet the threshold for charges.
GB News has contaced Thames Valley Police for comment.