High Court has ruled that the warrants used by Thames Valley Police to search the homes of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor following his arrest in February were unlawful. The force has accepted this finding, which was disclosed during a hearing at the High Court.

The ruling stems from a legal challenge launched by Mountbatten-Windsor after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former prince denies any wrongdoing.

During Thursday's hearing, Mr Justice Hilliard stated that both Mountbatten-Windsor and the police had agreed that the search warrants had been unlawful. However, the judge clarified that this does not end the investigation or render the entire inquiry unlawful. Items seized during the raid, including documents and electronic devices, remain in police custody.

A further hearing is scheduled for 2027 to determine whether the seized material can be used as evidence. The criminal investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor is ongoing, with police seeking to retain the evidence. His lawyers are challenging the actions of the force's chief constable and the Central Criminal Court in the lead-up to his arrest.

The initial warrants were sought under specific sections of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Thames Valley Police applied for warrants under sections eight and nine, but the Central Criminal Court determined that only section eight warrants were necessary and granted them on that basis. A subsequent legal challenge established that section nine should have been used.

Mr Justice Hilliard explained the police's position on retaining the seized items, stating that there would be little purpose in returning property if it could simply be lawfully seized again under a different provision. This suggests the police intend to seek new warrants or use an alternative legal basis to retain the confiscated materials.

The investigation into Mountbatten-Windsor was prompted by documents released by the US Department of Justice. These documents raised suspicions that he may have shared confidential information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in 2010, while serving as a UK trade envoy. Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

Thames Valley Police issued a statement acknowledging that the agreement to quash the warrants related specifically to the court's decision on the legal basis for their issuance, not a judgment on the overall investigation. The case highlights the intricate legal processes involved in high-profile investigations and the potential for challenges to the methods employed by law enforcement.