Update: 12:07GMT

From His Majesty The King:

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. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course. As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R.

    • bampop@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      It’s a pretty huge step to arrest a member of the royal family. They even did it on his birthday, which is just the icing on the cake. In principle he doesn’t deserve to be treated differently from any other pedo rapist, but in practice, I don’t think the police would be doing this unless they really mean business. It would be too risky for the careers of everyone involved, unless they had a rock solid case and no choice but to proceed with it. Better stock up on popcorn before it sells out.

        • HumanPenguin@feddit.uk
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          23 hours ago

          Yep it’s about giving secret gov data to Epstein. So while the peado accusations will likely be investigated as a result. Based on motive gathering.

          ATM no new evidence of actual SA with minors has been shown in the files.

          Just pics of him kneeling over a fully clothed shortish female of indeterminate age.

      • Flax@feddit.ukOP
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        23 hours ago

        From what I recall, they’d most likely have probably needed to ask The King for permission to do so, who would have handed him over.

        • HumanPenguin@feddit.uk
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          23 hours ago

          The kings authority to refuse is not recognised.

          If a king or past queen were to be accused. It is technically impossible. As our whole criminal justice system is based on the king Vs the defendent/accused.

          But that dose not apply to other royal family members. Other then the purely technical idea that the kings name used against a relative is sorta rude without authority.

          But parliament has the full Auth to ignore his opinion. And as we saw under Cromwell. If the king was accused of a crime high enough. Parliament itself can try him. But it’s far from uncomplicated,

          Other then the king. The only people fully free of the justice system. Are MPs when acting in parliament itself. This is done purely to prevent a majority party making opposition illegal. And even then it only applies to in parliament actions.

          IE up till a few days ago. MPs could support PA in the house of commons. But doing so in public would have still be a crime. As dumb as that sounds.

          That said. Legal and technical Vs the actual actions of people in a position with the prejudices involved. Are hardly equal.

          • wewbull@feddit.uk
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            13 hours ago

            If a king or past queen were to be accused. It is technically impossible. As our whole criminal justice system is based on the king Vs the defendent/accused.

            It’s not “The King vs…”. It’s “The Crown vs…”. It might seem a pedantic point, but the crown is a concept similar to “the state”, and distinct from any monarch.

            A case being “The Crown vs. HRH King Charles III” is perfectly feasible. The monarch being subject to law is a concept that goes back over 800 years.

            Other then the king. The only people fully free of the justice system. Are MPs when acting in parliament itself.

            They are not free of the whole justice system. They have limited parliamentary privileges mainly related to what they can say without consequences, but they couldn’t murder their opponents.

          • Flax@feddit.ukOP
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            17 hours ago

            The trial done by Cromwell wasn’t really legal. And Cromwell isn’t really the best example of democracy. It was basically a coup. It’s also legal for MPs to disclose classified information in parliament.

            I think they probably would have asked the King or possibly the prime minister, especially because they entered his property to make the arrest. It would have been courtesy. Although the King stated a while ago he is co-operating, and even if he did say no, it would be an absolute PR disaster, so really he wouldn’t have had any choice… Like with most things as a consititional monarch.

            It’s just the idea he likely was asked by the Police and he handed his brother over.

            Although honestly I would have 100% done the same thing, whether I was a king or not.

            EDIT: The King was not informed in advance of the arrest, the BBC understands

            https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czr0vj13ezjo

            Guess I was completely wrong, lol

            • HumanPenguin@feddit.uk
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              16 hours ago

              While Cromwell’s far from a great example of democracy.

              He is the example of parliament creating a law that made killing a king illegal. And the very creation of our current constitutional monarchy. His actions basically created most of the constitution changes the nation now works on.

              Hence why the example was made.

              You are correct in the fact that telling secrets in parliament is technically legal. It is worth noting that parliament has the power to enforce rules upon itself. Technically to the point made by Cromwell.

              IE in the event and MP was to announce secrets in parliament. Without gov approval and more so now it is televised. (This was not the case in my youth. When recording parliament was illegal for that very reason.)

              Parliament would technically be able to have the MP imprisoned. Although as of now parliament has no where to store them. It was the tower of London in the past.

              But yep it would have to be parliament that enforced such rules. And doing so would require a majority. Hence why bojo tried to close parliament and got prevented.

              • Flax@feddit.ukOP
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                1 hour ago

                I don’t think a trial by parliament is legal under international law?

    • Honytawk@feddit.nl
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      21 hours ago

      At least something is done about it, unlike other countries (not to name names)

  • MrNesser@lemmy.world
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    23 hours ago

    He’s the sacrificial lamb, the powers that be will let the public rage against this while quietly shoving the rest of the Epstein revelations under the rug.

    • wewbull@feddit.uk
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      13 hours ago

      I suspect he’s more likely the one that will turn on the others to save himself.

    • Flax@feddit.ukOP
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      21 hours ago

      I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if they just picked some high status moron to be their fall guy.

      • Tomato666
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        19 hours ago

        I’d like to hope he’s the first of a long line of people arrested.

        Next up should be Mandleson who has done the same as him with his government emails

        • Flax@feddit.ukOP
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          1 hour ago

          I reckon Mandelson might have done worse. I feel like Andrew was just a pawn/fall guy in this whole thing. “Haha, we have dirt on the Queen’s son” type situation

  • ModCen@feddit.uk
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    1 day ago

    When I saw this news my reaction was to say “lol”

    He’s a bit of a silly billy isn’t he

    • ModCen@feddit.uk
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      1 day ago

      I wonder where he celebrates his birthdays. Maybe Pizza Express in Woking.