Ex-Prince Andrew Was Arrested to ‘Prevent Interference With Evidence,’ Says Lawyer (Exclusive)

Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s arrest on his 66th birthday was just the beginning of what could be a lengthy process.

After the former Prince Andrew was taken into custody on Thursday, February 19, on claims that he shared confidential information with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, criminal defense attorney Mark Stephens of renowned U.K. law firm Howard Kennedy LLP exclusively tells National Enquirer that the next steps are important.

“The police arrested him now because they feel it’s necessary and required to secure evidence or prevent interference with evidence and enable questioning under the threat of perjury,” he explains, pointing out that authorities must “believe the arrest is necessary to advance the investigation.”

Though Andrew has consistently denied wrongdoing and maintained his innocence regarding the late financier’s crimes, he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office related to his communications with Epstein during his role as a trade envoy.

The Thames Valley Police launched an inquiry into Andrew after it was reported that emails suggest the father of two sent Epstein reports from a tour of Southeast Asia he took in 2010.

While Stephens noted that the arrest is not “proof of guilt” and Andrew has not been officially charged with a crime, he says that authorities “are taking this very seriously.”

Andrew could face a maximum sentence of life in prison if he were to be found guilty for misconduct in public office, but his future really depends on how things play out moving forward.

Regardless, Stephens says it doesn’t look good.

“When you start looking at the impact of it, one of the aggravating factors is the level of public trust attached to the role [of trade envoy], the willfulness, the deliberate wrongdoing because it doesn’t appear like an error and that the conduct was repeated and sustained,” he says. “And it was confidential and sensitive information.”

Stephens notes that Andrew has potentially “harmed the royal family, which is a public institution,” explaining: “That’s going to play into all of this.”

The former prince has since left the Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk after spending approximately 11 hours in custody and was photographed looking shaken in the backseat of a vehicle.

The former prince had long been tied to Epstein, and he has come under fire in recent months amid renewed interest in the files related to the late pedophile. While damning allegations continue to mount against Andrew, he has denied all claims.

In a statement issued from Buckingham Palace on Thursday, King Charles III — who stripped his brother of his royal titles and duties late last year — said in part: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office. What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.”