Top Stories

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor arrested – what is sovereign immunity and will it apply to him | Royal | News

Six unmarked police cars were seen at Wood Farm this morning, where Andrew currently lives. Searches are also being carried out at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk, the force said. The maximum sentence for misconduct in public office is life imprisonment.

Sovereign Immunity is a legal doctrine under which a sovereign is immune from civil suits or criminal prosecution.

In an unrelated response to a freedom of information (FoI) request, the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) previously explained that the monarch, King Charles, is immune to arrest in all cases.

« The King, as head of state, has sovereign immunity from both civil and criminal proceedings. That is a long-established customary rule of law not statutory provisions, » reports UK in a Changing Europe.

This even applies to parking tickets. However, there is nothing in the law preventing Andrew from being criminally prosecuted and jailed, because only King Charles has sovereign immunity within the Royal Family. Andrew is also a former prince.

Simarjot Singh Judge, managing partner at Judge Law, clarified that « former royal status does not provide immunity from criminal law ».

Mr Judge continued: « The criminal justice system applies equally regardless of title or former position. The process would be the same as for any other individual. »

“At this stage, the focus is on whether there is sufficient admissible evidence to justify prosecution, and that is a matter for investigators and the Crown Prosecution Service.”

Thames Valley Police said they will not name the arrested man, in line with national guidance.


Source link