Met asks Andrew's protection officers what they saw or heard in Epstein inquiry

Police are asking Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's protection officers to come forward with any information that might be relevant to inquiries relating to the Epstein files.

The Metropolitan Police said it was "identifying and contacting" former and serving protection officers and asking them to "consider carefully" whether they saw or heard anything.

Andrew, who was later released under investigation, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.

It remains to be seen whether Thames Valley Police (TVP), the force which arrested him, will bring charges against the former prince.

Nine police forces across the UK are considering whether to launch investigations, following the release of more than three million documents in the Epstein files.

The Met has not identified any wrongdoing by any protection officers at this stage and said no new criminal allegations had been made to the force regarding sexual offences said to have occurred within its jurisdiction.

It said it was aware of the suggestion that London airports may have been used to facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation and was assessing this information and seeking more detail from other law enforcement bodies, including in the US.

On Friday, unmarked police cars and vans were seen coming and going at Royal Lodge, the sprawling 30-room Windsor property where Andrew lived for many years.

Andrew only left the mansion in February, following the fallout from the latest drop of Jeffrey Epstein files. Due to his swift exist, it is likely many of the former prince's belongings remain at the property.

Aerial pictures show what appear to be a large police evidence tent within the grounds of Royal Lodge. At one point more than 20 vehicles could be seen parked at the property, although it is not known it all were connected to the investigation and searches.

Officers will be going through the property room-by-room and working out if there is anything relevant to their investigation into Andrew.

If any evidence is found it will need to be stored and logged. It is a process that can take time.

Searches at the property are likely to continue until Monday, the BBC understands.

For the last two weeks he has lived on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where police said they had concluded their searches.

At some point the CPS and Thames Valley Police will have to decide whether to charge the King's brother with misconduct in public office.

It could be weeks or months before any substantial decision is made.

The CPS is yet to become formally involved in the Thames Valley Police investigation, the BBC understands.

This means that while there may have been some discussions, CPS lawyers have not given detectives any formal advice about how to proceed with the investigation.

A CPS spokesperson said: "We are in close contact with police regarding high-profile individuals.

"We remain ready to support any police investigations if needed."

Andrew's arrested comes after the latest tranche of Epstein files appeared to show the former prince shared sensitive government documents and commercial information with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Reports from trade visits and a confidential briefing on investment opportunities in Afghanistan are among the documents Andrew appears to have shared with Epstein.

The Epstein files also suggest Andrew passed a Treasury briefing to a personal business contact.

Under official guidance, trade envoys have a duty of confidentiality over sensitive, commercial, or political information about their official visits.

And while the police have made it clear Andrew is being investigated for misconduct in public office, the specific nature of the allegations are not yet clear.

It is possible the police investigation extends beyond the emails seen widely in Epstein-related documents published in the US.

Buckingham Palace has said they would support Thames Valley Police in their inquiries.

This means the police may have gone to the Palace, or could still go to the Palace, asking to see communications between Andrew and others, which could bring new evidence to light.

Andrew, who was stripped of his titles late last year, is the first senior member of the Royal Family in modern history to be arrested.

He has always denied any wrongdoing arising from his relationship with Epstein and has not responded to specific BBC questions about the files released in January.