Police investigation of Prince Andrew is hypocritical and too late given their complicity in enabling his behavior
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/marinahyde. "Here’s a potential witness for the police officers investigating Andrew: the police | Marina Hyde | The Guardian." May 22, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
The author argues that police shouldn't be praised for finally investigating Prince Andrew because they were complicit in protecting him for years. Police officers were literally there watching when alleged crimes happened, yet did nothing until it became politically convenient after the Queen died.
Conclusion
The current police investigation into Prince Andrew is not praiseworthy but rather a self-serving attempt to appear legitimate after years of institutional complicity and protection that enabled his alleged misconduct
Premises
- Metropolitan police officers served as Andrew's close protection detail and were physically present during suspicious activities, including escorting him to locations where alleged misconduct occurred
- Police had multiple opportunities over 15 years to investigate credible allegations, including when Virginia Giuffre first made claims in 2014, when Andrew paid £12m to settle, and when leaked emails showed he used police resources inappropriately
- The timing of the investigation coincides suspiciously with Queen Elizabeth II's death, suggesting they waited until she could no longer protect Andrew
- Andrew's homes were only searched in 2026, despite evidence and allegations being available for over a decade
- The police's current appeal for witnesses is disingenuous when they themselves were witnesses to Andrew's activities through their protection duties
- This investigation appears motivated by institutional self-preservation rather than justice, as continuing to ignore the case would now be more damaging than addressing it
Assumptions
- Police officers on protection duty would have observed and been aware of suspicious or inappropriate behavior
- The timing of investigations reveals institutional motivations rather than commitment to justice
- Institutional self-interest drives decision-making more than moral obligation
- Virginia Giuffre's allegations were credible and should have prompted earlier investigation