UK to consider removing ex-prince Andrew from royal line of succession

Britain’s government will consider new legislation to remove the former prince Andrew from the line of royal succession once the police investigation into his ties with Epstein is over, a UK official said on Friday.

Any changes to the line of succession – Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is eighth in line to the throne – would require consultation and agreement with other countries where King Charles ‌is head of state, said the official, who asked not to be identified.

The former prince was arrested on Thursday, his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in a public office. The arrest was in relation to allegations that he sent confidential government documents to the disgraced financier when he was a trade envoy.

As part of a completely separate inquiry, London’s Metropolitan Police said on Friday it was now identifying and contacting former and serving officers who may have worked closely with the royal, urging anyone with allegations of sex offences relating to Jeffrey Epstein to come forward.

“They have been asked to consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard during that period of service may be relevant to our ongoing reviews and to share any information that could assist us,” the police statement said.

“We continue to urge anyone with new or relevant information to come forward. All allegations will be taken seriously and, as with any matter, any information received will be assessed and investigated where appropriate.”