Prince Andrew Inquiry to Last More Than a Year

Investigations by British authorities into Prince Andrew, younger brother of King Charles III, and former British ambassador to the US Peter Mandelson are likely to continue for more than a year, Director of Public Prosecutions Stephen Parkinson has said, citing the complexity of the cases and their international dimension.

The two men were arrested separately in February after the US Justice Department released extensive documents related to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Neither faces charges, and both deny any wrongdoing. They have also expressed regret over their contacts with Epstein.

Prince Andrew is being investigated on suspicion of misconduct as a public official. Investigators are examining whether he passed sensitive information to Epstein during his tenure as special representative for trade and investment from 2001 to 2011. Police are also looking into whether a woman was brought to his Windsor residence in 2010 for sexual purposes.

Mandelson faces a separate probe over allegations that he provided Epstein with sensitive information about financial markets during the financial crisis while serving in a government capacity.

(reuters, max)