A friend of the former prince said Andrew feels ‘unfairly, even brutally, treated’

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is “really insistent that he can and will clear his name”, a friend of the former Duke of York has claimed.

The former prince has not been seen since his release from Aylsham police station, where he was held in custody for 11 hours.

Andrew was released under investigation following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

He is currently lying low at Wood Farm, having been kicked out of Royal Lodge early, which was searched over the course of last weekend, with Thames Valley Police concluding their search on Tuesday.

A friend of Andrew said he is ‘really insistent that he can and will clear his name’

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A friend of Andrew explained that the former duke “will clear his name” and feels he has been let down by his brother, despite King Charles continuing to give him money and a home on the Sandringham Estate.

“His view is that he has been unfairly – even brutally – treated, and the person he blames for this is the King,” the friend told the Mail.

They added: “It’s as though he’s deliberately blocked out the outside world.”

The King released a statement just a couple of hours after his brother’s arrest, emphasising that “the law must take its course”.

Andrew’s ‘view is that he has been unfairly – even brutally – treated’

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The Prince and Princess of Wales are understood to support the King’s statement, which read: “As I have said before, they (the police) have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.”

Wood Farm was searched by police on the day of Andrew’s arrest, with his former residence, Royal Lodge, undergoing a six-day search.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said on Tuesday: “Officers have now left the location we have been searching in Berkshire. This concludes the search activity that commenced following our arrest of a man in his sixties from Norfolk on Thursday (19/2).”

Andrew was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office | REUTERS

Mr Wright continued: “We understand the significant public interest in this case, and our investigation remains ongoing.

“It is important that our investigators are given the time and space to progress their work.

“We will provide updates when it is appropriate to do so, but this is unlikely to be for some time.”

MPs unanimously agreed to the release of files relating to Andrew’s appointment as a UK trade envoy in 2001, without needing a vote.

Andrew was trade envoy from 2001 to 2011 | GETTY

The former Duke of York served as the UK’s trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

Concluding a debate held in the House of Commons on February 24, Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant said the Government would release the files “as soon as is practicable and possible within the law”.

However, he said any documents relating to the offence of misconduct in public office could be withheld on the advice of prosecutors.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.