Britain’s former Prince Andrew was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of “misconduct in public office.” The arrest came after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faced accusations of sharing confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy before 2011.

Thames Valley Police confirmed the arrest in a statement. However, the former Prince Andrew’s name was not mentioned in the statement.

“As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk. The man remains in police custody at this time. We will not be naming the arrested man, as per national guidance. Please also remember that this case is now active so care should be taken with any publication to avoid being in contempt of court.”

The name was not explicitly disclosed due to British law. In 2013, the College of Policing issued new guidance on the naming of arrested suspects. Under the new rule, suspects’ names must not be released to the press or public to protect the presumption of innocence.

However, naming a suspect is allowed in “clearly identified” cases with a “legitimate policing purpose.” Such exceptional cases include “threat to life” and “prevention or detection of crime.”

The new guidelines came after a judicial inquiry committee under Justice Leveson, which was set up in 2011 to assess press ethics and culture after the News International phone hacking scandal. Not naming suspects at the time of arrest was one of the recommendations of the 2012 report.

In Thursday’s police statement, Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright stressed maintaining the “integrity and objectivity” of the investigation into the allegation against former Prince Andrew.

“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time,” the statement concluded.

In 2022, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of his royal duties, and last year, King Charles removed his title.

King Charles III issues a statement following the former Prince Andrew’s arrest

Britain’s King Charles III shared a statement following his brother’s arrest. The monarch acknowledged the allegations against Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and wrote:

“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.

The King added that “law must take its course” and assured his cooperation with the investigation.

“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,” he added.

Former Prince Andrew has faced heavy scrutiny since his name appeared in the Epstein files. One of Epstein’s victims, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, had accused the late disgraced financier of trafficking her to the former royal when she was a teenager. According to The New York Times, ex-Prince Andrew also paid an undisclosed amount to Giuffre in 2022 to settle a lawsuit.

The British King’s brother, however, has denied any wrongdoing. Giuffre passed away last year. On Thursday, Giuffre’s family issued a statement following the arrest of Prince Andrew and said that their “broken hearts have been lifted.”