Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: Epstein blamed ‘Charles’ on day ex-duke stepped down from trade envoy role

Jeffrey Epstein blamed “Charles” on the day Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stepped down from his trade envoy role.

The convicted sex offender wrote “I assume he knows that this is Charles’ doing” on 21 July 2011, the day it was announced that ex-duke would step down from the role.

His remarks followed a message from an associate, who said: “Lots of TV coverage on PA and always big feature on you. Insane.”

It is believed PA refers to the former prince Andrew.

Members of the media have been warned not to approach Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s neighbours on the King’s Estate.

Signs have appeared on properties close to Wood Farm at Wolferton, near King’s Lynn, where the disgraced former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of improper conduct in public office on Thursday.

A sign states: “This is private property and no comment will be made to journalists.

“Photographers are also not permitted onto these private grounds of the Sandringham Estate.

“Please respect this decision.”

The Metropolitan Police has apologised to the Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle for “inadvertently revealing information” during its investigation into allegations of misconduct in public office, the force said in a statement.

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle has said he passed information to the Metropolitan Police about Lord Peter Mandelson, after the peer claimed a “baseless suggestion” he was a flight risk had led to his arrest this week.

The former ambassador to Washington was arrested on Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and later released on bail.

Lord Mandelson, who has been accused of passing sensitive information on to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary, has been bailed until May.

In a statement to the Commons, Sir Lindsay said: “Members will be aware of comments in the media regarding the arrest of Lord Mandelson.

“To prevent any inaccurate speculation I’d like to confirm that, upon receipt of information, that I felt it was relevant I pass this on to the Metropolitan Police in good faith, as is my duty and responsibility.

“It is regrettable this rapidly ended in the media.

“As this is a live investigation, members will understand… it would not be appropriate to make any further comment, and I’d like to caution members from doing so.”

Lord Mandelson was taken into custody after AndrewMountbatten-Windsor’s arrest last week, also on suspicion of misconduct in public office, after allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.

The Duchess of Sussex looked emotional as she met a young man with shattered legs who was evacuated from Gaza to receive urgent care in Jordan.

Meghan told Jaber, 17, whose legs were held in place by a metal frame: “I’m so glad you’re getting the treatment that you need”, as he was assessed at the private Specialty Hospital in Amman.

The Sussexes are making a two-day visit to Jordan to learn more about the humanitarian effort to support the health and wellbeing of Syrians and Palestinians who have sought sanctuary in Jordan over the decades.

Dr Hamzeh Odeh, the emergency department manager at Specialty Hospital, said after the visit: “This is what you expect from war, they’re war injuries.

“But some of the injuries are not directly related to the war, it’s because of the lack of doctors, lack of medication.”

The Prince of Wales was told there was a job going after he was praised for how he handled a mouse sample during a visit to a biomedical research centre.

Prince William spent Wednesday morning at the Francis Crick Institute, a leading biomedicine research centre in King’s Cross, central London, meeting brain researchers and A-level biology students ahead of the centre’s 10-year anniversary later this year.

After he was cheered on arrival by crowds of staff standing on the building’s many balconies, the prince, wearing a white laboratory coat, was given a tour of the institute’s electron microscopy facility which is used to study cells at the atomic level.

He was then shown how to prepare a mouse kidney cell sample to observe through a microscope by senior research scientist Dumisile Lumkwana and deputy lead of the facility Pippa Hawes.

As he was given explanations on how to prepare the sample, the prince joked: “Please don’t tell me this is like a really serious research project you’re doing.”

He added: “I’m not responsible for messing this one up.”

Harriette Boucher reports:

In a letter to the British prime minister, Mr Albanese said: “In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession.

“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.

“These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”

New Zealand’s prime minister joined Mr Albanese hours later to say he would support the UK government’s decision.

Mr Luxon said: “If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it.”

However, the deputy prime minister of New Zealand did not agree with the statements, telling local media it was not a priority for the country.

David Seymour said: “I think we’ve got 99 problems most New Zealanders are facing right now.

“This guy’s eighth in the line of succession, and these guys all seem to live to about 100.

“So, of all of the things that you could ask me about or we could be worried about right now, that’s probably a wee way down the list.”

When asked about Australia’s support, he said: “Good on them, they’ve obviously solved a few more problems.”

The Independent contacted government officials from the other 12 countries, including Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, but has not received a response on whether they would be supporting the move.