LONDON, Feb 19 (AFP): Britain's former prince Andrew was arrested Thursday on suspicion of misconduct during his time as a trade envoy, as UK police investigations into allegations emerging from the Jeffrey Epstein files gathered pace.
The arrest of a royal family member is unprecedented in Britain's modern era, as police said they were also searching two properties-in eastern England and west of London-as part of their probe.
It was a humiliating new blow for the ousted prince, who was last year stripped of his titles, and Thursday marked his 66th birthday as he was taken into custody.
"We have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office," Thames Valley police said in a statement, without naming the suspect, as is common practice in the UK.
Officers "are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk," the force added, noting "the man remains in police custody at this time".
Images published by UK media showed a fleet of unmarked cars, believed to be police vehicles, arriving early Thursday at King Charles III's Sandringham estate in eastern England where Andrew moved to earlier this month.
The arrest follows new revelations last week that appeared to show Andrew sent convicted US sex offender Epstein potentially confidential documents during his time as a UK trade envoy.
In a November 2010 email seen by AFP, Andrew appeared to share with Epstein reports on several Asian countries following an official visit to the region.
The ex-royal, now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, also reportedly sent the American financier details of the trip-on which he was accompanied by Epstein's business associates-along with investment opportunities months later.
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