Thames Valley Police has accepted that the search warrants used to search Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's homes earlier this year were unlawful, the High Court heard on Thursday. The force admitted that the information provided to the Old Bailey regarding warrants for his Sandringham home and Royal Lodge in Windsor was incorrect.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He denies any wrongdoing. The warrants were issued prior to his arrest, and his lawyers are challenging their lawfulness through a judicial review.
The court heard that Thames Valley Police took possession of documents and electronic devices during the searches. The conditions for the warrants stipulated that documents used for business or in a paid or unpaid role with an undertaking of confidence should not be seized. Thames Valley Police now admits the judge who granted the warrants could not have been sure of this.