American President Donald Trump reacted, on Thursday, to the news of the arrest of former Prince Andrew, both once part of the entourage of sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, whose network of influence was revealed with the publication of thousands of documents related to his files, reports News.ro.
“I think it's very sad. I think it's very bad for the royal family,” Trump told reporters. “It is very, very sad for me … to see what is happening to his (King Charles') brother.”
Donald Trump was asked if other people in the US could be accused of similar acts. Speaking for himself, Trump added that he is the one who “can talk about it” because he was “totally exonerated” after the Epstein files were released. “I didn't do anything,” he said.
“In a way, I'm an expert in this area because I was completely exonerated, so I can talk about it … it's a very sad thing,” he added. “His brother, who will be coming to our country very soon, the king… is a very sad thing,” added Trump.
Britain's King Charles is due to visit the US in April.
King Charles' younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was released from police custody late Thursday after being arrested on suspicion of abuse of office, based on allegations that he sent confidential government documents to Jeffrey Epstein.
King Charles' brother Andrew has been released after a day of being arrested by police in a probe into his links to Jeffrey Epstein
Mountbatten-Windsor, who turned 66 on Thursday, was questioned throughout the day by detectives from Thames Valley Police.
Earlier this month, police said they were investigating allegations he passed documents to convicted former sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a sales representative. Documents from the Epstein case suggest Mountbatten-Windsor gave Epstein reports in 2010 about Vietnam, Singapore and other places she visited on official trips as the government's special representative for trade and investment. He was forced to resign from this position in 2011 after his close ties to Epstein came to light.
The arrest of Andrew, a senior member of the royal family, eighth in line to the throne, is unprecedented in modern times.
“It was with the deepest concern that I heard the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and the suspicion of abuse of office,” his brother, King Charles, reacted in a statement.
A Reuters witness saw Prince Andrew leaving Aylsham police station in eastern England, where he was greeted by a small group of photographers and television crews, just after 19:00 GMT (21:00 Romanian time). A Reuters photo taken after his release shows him sitting in a car, visibly shocked.
Thames Valley Police said on Thursday that the “man arrested” had been “released pending enquiries”.
Although Buckingham Palace was not informed of the arrest in advance, King Charles said the authorities had the family's “full and sincere support and cooperation”.
“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course,” the monarch said in his statement. “In the meantime, my family and I will continue to do our duty and serve you all,” he added to his subjects.
The king visited a fashion show in London on Thursday, making no further public comments.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of former Queen Elizabeth II, has always denied any wrongdoing with Epstein and said he regretted their friendship.
For his part, Donald Trump, who had friendly relations with Epstein, declared that at one point they had an argument and broke off relations.
