Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces police investigation into alleged inappropriate behaviour at Royal Ascot'

Police are investigating allegations that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor behaved inappropriately toward a woman at Royal Ascot in 2002. The investigation by Thames Valley Police is described as wider than previously believed and includes sexual misconduct. He was arrested on his 66th birthday in February and questioned under criminal caution on suspicion of misconduct in public office connected to his role as a British trade envoy. A spokesperson said the force cannot provide specifics but is following all reasonable lines of inquiry. It is unclear whether the Royal Ascot allegation was reported at the time or later. The arrest followed allegations tied to documents released by the US Department of Justice about passing information to Jeffrey Epstein. The force asked witnesses to contact them regarding alleged sexual misconduct, corruption, fraud, or sharing confidential information.

"Thames Valley police (TVP) indicated that their investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor was wider than many had previously believed, and also covered sexual misconduct. He was arrested on his 66th birthday in February and questioned under criminal caution on suspicion of misconduct in public office, related to his role as a British trade envoy. Following the Sunday Times report, a spokesperson for the force said of the inquiry into misconduct in public office: We cannot go into specifics of the investigation, but we are following all reasonable lines of inquiry."

"The alleged incident is said to have happened at the annual five-day racing event in Berkshire in 2002, according to the Sunday Times. It was not clear whether the claim about alleged inappropriate behaviour at Royal Ascot was reported to officers at the time or more recently. Royal Ascot is a cornerstone of the royal family's summer calendar, and Queen Elizabeth II was also at the event in 2002, the year of her Golden Jubilee."

"Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February after allegations arising from documents released by the US Department of Justice that he passed information to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Officers conducted a short search of his Norfolk home and a week-long search on the Windsor estate where he lived for decades. The former prince denies all wrongdoing."

"On Friday, TVP asked witnesses to contact them if they believed they had information about alleged sexual misconduct, corruption, fraud or the sharing of confidential information involving the king's brother. The appeal came amid concern that people who may have information about criminal offences wrongly think detectives are interested in only the alleged sharing of confidential information. Misconduct in public office covers a range of"

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