NO-one is above the law. Do you doubt that? In theory, every person, regardless of status, rank or political power, is subject to the law. No individual, including leaders and royalty, is exempt.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was taken into police custody as part of an investigation into his ‘misconduct in public office’; police officers are carrying out searches in Berkshire and Norfolk. (As has been well publicised, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor made an out-of-court settlement amounting to several millions to his accuser in 2022. He has always asserted his innocence. Our Prime Minister has encouraged anyone with information relating to the Epstein files to come forward.)

The criminal justice system, battered by austerity cuts and the pandemic, is in a parlous state. Prisons are overcrowded, backlogs build, court cases are delayed. The average time taken from offence to completion is estimated to be 6.5 months; sexual offences are particularly affected with 30% waiting at least a year. Victims, defendants and witnesses have to wait and wait, compounding their misery.

Abuse victims have told me of the torture they suffer while waiting so long for justice, hopes dashed again and again, some describing the ordeal caused when they realise the perpetrator has been released on licence, able to begin a new life while victim and family struggle with ongoing trauma.

The justice system will deal appropriately with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. We depend on his being treated like any individual. Shocking though it may be to see a member of the Royal family being taken away by police, the legal process must take its course, while we watch.