CPS giving 'investigative advice' to police over Andrew and Mandelson probes

Prosecutors are providing "early investigative advice" to police forces as they carry out inquiries into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Peter Mandelson's links to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

A spokesperson for the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: "We can confirm that we are now providing early investigative advice to the Metropolitan Police Service regarding the force's investigation into a 72-year-old man and will continue to liaise as requested.

"We can now also confirm that we are providing early investigative advice to Thames Valley Police in relation to a 66-year-old man."

Mountbatten-Windsor and Lord Mandelson have separately been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections to the paedophile and have both since been released under investigation.

Mountbatten-Windsor has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

Lord Mandelson has repeatedly let it be known that he believes he has not acted criminally.

Providing early investigative advice is not the same as prosecutors making a charging decision against individuals.

The CPS can provide police with guidance in serious, sensitive or complex cases where they believe it would help them to establish what evidence will be required to support a prosecution.

Mountbatten-Windsor, 66, was released under investigation by Thames Valley Police in February following his arrest at Sandringham.

Prior to his arrest, police had said they were considering investigating him over allegations relating to his association with Epstein and were reviewing allegations he shared confidential material.

Communications between Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein featured among a tranche of files released by the US government.

Lord Mandelson was released on bail by the Met Police in February after his arrest in north London.

The force launched an investigation into him over allegations that while he was serving as a government minister, Lord Mandelson had passed on market-sensitive government information.

The CPS said it remained ready to support "any investigation if needed".

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