Ex-Scotland Yard detective gives insight into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's fate following arrest

Police vehicles were seen arriving at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk this morning, where Andrew was residing on his 66th birthday.

Eyewitnesses reported that officers who arrived were wearing civilian clothing but "appeared to be police officers".

Thames Valley Police said in a statement: "As part of the investigation, we have today 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."

Questions have now been raised about what lies in store for Andrew – with ex-detective Mike Neville joining GB News this morning to share his expertise.

Setting the speculated scene, Mr Neville said the whole scenario would have been "rehearsed out", with a number of police officials taking part in the ordeal.

He said: "They've got a senior gold commander. The assistant chief constable of Thames Valley Police will be directing the operation.

"There'll be a silver commander who's probably a chief superintendent, and I imagine it will be something like a detective chief inspector or something like myself, who would have been sent to to do the dirty deed."

The ex-prince is currently sitting in custody – while the police have 24 hours to charge the arrested individual.

The detective added: "It is a very complex case in the sense that the searching, they've already started to remove things like laptops, computers, phones, I imagine.

"And there may also be paper documentation, but the examination of those electronic devices, those digital devices, by specialist digital forensic teams will take several weeks at least.

"I mean, there's top pressure on them to get it done. But these things are never quick."

He continued: "So what I imagine is he'll be in custody. His solicitor will attend; there'll be a preliminary interview. Matters will be put to him."

Initial questioning will be made, then he will be bailed for further enquiries to return to the police station at a later date, once police have assessed the confiscated digital devices and extracted "as much admissible evidence as they can".

The police, Mr Neville said, would have constantly been in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to consider the points to prove the offence of misconduct in public office.

Detailed discussion on evidence and later questioning would be considered as well.

Although a rare charge, the former detective explained, misconduct in public office carries a maximum term of life imprisonment.

He went on to explain the possible nature of what police might look at.

Mr Neville added: "We know that Andrew was working as a special trade envoy.

"There'll be a whole team; there'll be different teams of officers out. There'll be financial investigators, digital forensic officers, and specialist interview officers.

"There will be officers who'll be bringing in experts in who dealt with misconduct in public office trials before, so that any lessons learned are put forward in this investigation.

"But as I say, it'll be a major task with a very senior officer heading it up and really directing the strategy and very experienced detectives dealing with the case."

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