FLASH
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The investigation into former Prince Andrew, brother of King Charles III and favorite son of Queen Elizabeth II, is also expanding into possible sexual crimes.
Andrew was arrested and briefly questioned in February, on his 66th birthday, on suspicion of sharing confidential government information with his friend Jeffrey Epstein, the American financier accused of pedophilia, who died in prison in New York under controversial circumstances, which were officially ruled a suicide.
The investigation initially focused on abuse of power, but British police have now confirmed they are also looking into allegations of sexual offences involving girls Epstein allegedly brought to Andrew at royal residences. Investigators are expected to make a public appeal for potential victims to come forward and give evidence. Attention has focused on the testimony of a young woman who said she was offered for “sexual purposes” in 2010 and taken to Royal Lodge, the prince’s then-retirement home in Windsor.
“Misconduct is a criminal offence that can take many forms, which makes this investigation particularly complex,” investigators said. A source told Sky News that “those who think that only financial matters are being investigated are mistaken. Misconduct covers a wide range of offences, including sexual offences, fraud, corruption and obstruction of justice. We are looking into every aspect of the case.”
It has also drawn attention to the fact that Andrew's arrest in February came shortly after former Labour Prime Minister Gordon Brown published an article calling for him to face justice. Just three weeks earlier, Brown had published another article in the New Statesman magazine, calling for the investigation to be expanded to include the sexual aspect of the case. After that, the investigation took a new direction.
The deterioration of the former prince's position, who was stripped of all royal titles last year after more details about his ties to Epstein were published, is creating difficulties for the royal family and King Charles III himself. Only recently were documents released regarding Andrew's appointment as trade envoy in 2001, which show that Queen Elizabeth II had pressured her son to take that role. The image of the former queen, considered almost untouchable for decades, is gradually being damaged as it becomes clearer that she had protected a son whose problematic behavior was long known.
However, the “Andrew affair” poses a serious challenge even for King Charles, who has stated that he will cooperate with the investigation. It is hard to believe that the royal family was unaware of Andrew’s activities, who for years seemed to have been shielded from the consequences. The more the former prince is compromised and the greater the risk of facing official charges and a trial, the more his case becomes a serious threat to the reputation of the British monarchy and, in the long run, to its institution itself./ Taken from Corriere della Sera
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