British police acknowledge that searches of former Prince Andrew’s properties were illegal, but the Epstein investigation continues

British police have acknowledged that the warrants used to conduct searches in February at the residences of former Prince Andrew were improperly issued. The decision concerns the procedure used to authorize the searches, not the entire investigation into his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, High Court Judge Hilliard said Thursday in London.

The searches took place at Sandringham, in eastern England, and at Andrew’s former residence in Windsor, near London. The court annulled them on July 22, and police are now seeking legal ways to retain the confiscated items. The investigation remains ongoing.

Andrew was arrested on February 19 and held for several hours in pretrial detention, in an unprecedented case in the modern history of the British royal family. He is suspected of misconduct in public office, following allegations that he passed confidential documents to Epstein while serving as the United Kingdom’s trade representative between 2001 and 2011.

In May, police also announced an investigation into an allegation of sexual assault. Andrew, 66, has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing related to the Epstein case.