Workmen have been spotted installing a security fence at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new Norfolk home.
Renovations are being carried out at Marsh Farm on the Sandringham Estate with the former Duke of York expected to move into the property around April.
For the time being Andrew is staying at nearby Wood Farm where he was arrested last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
He is accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as special representative for international trade and investment.
The former prince has not been seen since he returned to Sandringham nearly a week ago.
However his security team were spotted driving around the nearby village of Wolferton this morning.
Yesterday, a retired civil servant claimed Andrew charged taxpayers for massages while working as the UK’s trade envoy.
The former member of staff, who worked in the UK’s trade department in the early 2000s, said the disgraced royal successfully expensed the treatment as well as excessive travel costs during his time in the role between 2001 and 2011.
Workmen have been spotted today at Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s new Norfolk home at Marsh Farm where the former Duke of York is expected to move into around April
Andrew leaving Aylsham Police Station last Thursday after he was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office
The civil servant alleged he was so annoyed by Andrew’s request that he’d refused to pay for the massage, but was ‘overruled’ by senior staff.
‘I thought it was wrong… I’d said we mustn’t pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway,’ he told the BBC.
The Department for Business and Trade declined to comment on the claim. Andrew has always denied any personal gain from his role as trade envoy.
But a former senior Whitehall official, who oversaw finances, said he saw similar expenses for Andrew’s trips, adding he had ‘absolutely no doubt’ about the massage claims.
Since his arrest, fresh allegations against Andrew include:
- The picture of him on all fours over a woman is from his 2010 ‘goodbye’ trip to Epstein’s New York apartment
- His right-hand man David Stern joked about having sex on Epstein’s island after the billionaire was convicted of soliciting a minor for prostitution
- Epstein tried to broker a deal with an American investment firm that would have netted Andrew a £1million advance
Meanwhile, Australia’s Prime Minister has told Sir Keir Starmer he would back plans to remove Andrew from the line of royal succession. The ex-Duke of York is currently eighth in line to the throne, behind Prince William and his three children, George, Charlotte and Louis, and Prince Harry , and his two children, Archie and Lilibet.
Workmen were spotted at Andrew’s soon-to-be home on the Sandringham Estate erecting a security fence
In a letter to his UK counterpart, Australian PM Anthony Albanese wrote: ‘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.’
Asked about the letter, Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman said: ‘The Government has received the letter.
‘We are considering whether further steps are required in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and we are not ruling anything out.
‘But given the ongoing police investigation it would not be appropriate for the Government to comment further at this stage.’
He added that Australia was the only one of the other 14 Commonwealth realms so far to have indicated it would support removing Andrew from the line of succession.
After Andrew’s arrest, King Charles said: ‘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. 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’.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are said to support the King’s unprecedented statement following the arrest of William’s uncle Andrew at Sandringham last Thursday.