Ex-Prince Andrew arrested in widening fallout related to Jeffrey Epstein ties

Geoff Bennett:

Welcome to the "News Hour."

There were shockwaves across the U.K. today after the arrest of the former Prince Andrew on suspicion of misconduct in public office, his arrest reportedly linked to the latest release of the Epstein files.

Amna Nawaz:

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, as he's now known, was taken into custody at the royal Sandringham estate and later released. An arrest of this magnitude involving the sibling of a reigning monarch has no precedent in modern British history.

We begin our coverage tonight with this report from correspondent Chris Ship and our partners at ITV News.

Chris Ship:

At breakfast time, a number of unmarked police cars arrived unannounced, their task, to arrest the younger brother of King Charles.

Today, is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's birthday. He has spent most of it in police custody answering questions. By 10:00 a.m. this morning, Thames Valley Police confirmed they had made an arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

At Royal Lodge in Windsor, where Andrew had been living until the start of this month, black vans were filmed entering the grounds earlier today. At midday, the first response from Buckingham Palace and the statement was signed Charles R., meaning this was from the king himself.

He spoke of how he had learned with the deepest concern of his brother's arrest and insisted a full, fair and proper process should follow in terms of the investigation. The king repeated he was ready to fully cooperate with the police and then, in the starkest way possible, he wrote: "Let me state clearly, the law must take its course."

And, this afternoon, just as he pledged he would, the king continued with his public engagement.

Question:

Do you have any reactions to the arrest of your brother, sir?

Question:

Your Majesty, how are you feeling after your brother's arrest?

Chris Ship:

Today's diary did not change, but the questions on his arrival did.

Question:

Have you spoken to your brother, Your Majesty?

Chris Ship:

He had all his senior staff with him. He knows, just as they know, what a precarious moment this is.

As for another of Queen Elizabeth's children, Princess Anne, her diary today included a visit to a prison. She didn't cancel it.

Question:

What's your reaction to your brother's arrest, Your Highness?

Chris Ship:

So why did police launch a criminal investigation? It followed an assessment of the most recently released Epstein files made public by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Those files appeared to show e-mails from the then-Prince Andrew to Jeffrey Epstein at around the time they were photographed in Central Park in New York. Police are investigating if confidential papers about business opportunities were shared by the then-prince and if that amounts to misconduct in public office.

At the time, Andrew was a trade ambassador on behalf of the British government, a role which would have given him access to sensitive and confidential documents. The arrest is not connected to claims made by Andrew's accuser, the late Virginia Giuffre, nor was it the result of new claims a woman was trafficked to Andrew for sex in 2010. Police are still assessing those.

The prime minister, speaking before today's arrest, said once again whatever information Andrew has should be shared.

Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister:

Whether it's Andrew or anybody else, anybody who's got relevant information should come forward to whatever the relevant body is. In this particular case, we're talking about Epstein, but there are plenty of other cases.

It is anybody who's got information relating to any aspect of violence against women and girls has, in my view, a duty to come forward whoever they are.

Chris Ship:

And after the arrest, this response from the foreign secretary speaking to ITV News in New York.

Yvette Cooper, British Foreign Minister:

There is a police investigation under way. And it is immensely important that investigation can take its course. As the prime minister has said, no one is above the law.

Chris Ship:

The king was not told of his brother's arrest before it happened. This is a seismic moment for monarchy.

King Charles said today his family will "continue in our duty and service to you all."

Amna Nawaz:

Our thanks to Chris Ship of ITV News for that report.