Prosecutors 'giving advice' to police forces amid probes into Mandelson and Andrew's Epstein links
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is advising the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police amid their probes into the former Duke of York and the former UK ambassador to the US.
Prosecutors are “providing early investigative advice” to two police forces as they carry out inquiries into Peter Mandelson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein.
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The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is advising the Metropolitan Police and Thames Valley Police amid their probes into the former Duke of York and the former UK ambassador to the US.
Both men were arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with the paedophile financier Epstein. They have since been released under investigation.
During a criminal investigation, detectives can ask for investigative advice from CPS lawyers or submit a file of evidence for them to consider before any charges are made.
This process usually takes place once a criminal investigation is well under way.
A CPS spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we are now providing early investigative advice to the Metropolitan Police Service regarding the force’s investigation into a 72-year-old man and will continue to liaise as requested.
Read more: Lord Mandelson to hand over personal phone messages for US ambassador appointment files
Read more: King and Queen ‘will not be able to meet with Epstein survivors’ on US visit
“We can now also confirm that we are providing early investigative advice to Thames Valley Police in relation to a 66-year-old man.“We remain ready to support any investigation if needed.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed in February it is holding talks with the CPS over Andrew's links to Epstein.
The discussions came after documents in the latest Epstein files allegedly showed Andrew shared government information with the paedophile financier.
This comes as it was confirmed King’s state visit to the US to see Donald Trump is to go ahead next month as planned.
Charles and the Queen’s long-expected historic trip will take place in late April despite calls for it to be postponed or even cancelled because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
It is understood that Charles and Camilla will not be able to meet with victims while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.
Scotland Yard has begun an investigation into Lord Mandelson, after emails emerged from the Epstein files which suggest he may have passed sensitive government and market information to the convicted sex offender.
Thames Valley Police are assessing whether Andrew, the former Duke of York, also passed on government information to Epstein when he was in the role of UK trade envoy.