King Charles has said “the law must take its course” following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of misconduct in public office, with the Prince and Princess of Wales understood to support his statement

Advertisement

The Prince and Princess of Wales have supported King Charles’ statement following the arrest of the disgraced former prince Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday morning (February 19).

Andrew is currently in police custody after being arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office at his temporary residence on the Sandringham Estate around 8am on his 66th birthday. Thames Valley Police, who led the operation, also confirmed that searches are being conducted at properties in Berkshire and Norfolk.

Following his younger brother’s arrest, King Charles broke his silence, stating “the law must take its course”. This sentiment is understood to be echoed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, William and Kate, according to the Press Association.

The former Duke has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Jeffrey Epstein but has faced increasing scrutiny over his relationship with the convicted paedophile whilst he was alive. On November 3, 2025, King Charles stripped Andrew of his HRH style and “Prince” title.

“I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office,” The King said in a written statement.

“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.”

Advertisement

A police spokesperson at the scene confirmed that the search is ongoing within the property. Dog walkers and families are continuing to pass through the surrounding Windsor Great Park.

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said: “Following a thorough assessment, we have now opened an investigation into this allegation of misconduct in public office.”

It is vital that we maintain the integrity and objectivity of our investigation as we work alongside our partners to examine this alleged offence.

“We understand the significant public interest in this case, and we will provide updates at the appropriate time.”

The King has previously expressed his “profound concern” regarding allegations over Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s conduct, also saying he would “stand ready to support” the police, according to Buckingham Palace.

The financial industry is entering a new era, with AI and new regulations on accessing data transforming how finance works. These changes are giving people more options to manage their money in new ways – taking us closer to totally cashless transactions.

Over the last century, banks implemented new technologies like ATMs, internet banking and smartphone apps to fundamentally change our relationship with money. Now, new regulations and initiatives around the world are forcing banks to allow fintech firms (companies that use technology to provide financial services) to access customers’ banking data.

This includes regulations like the EU’s revised payment services directive (PSD2), which aims to encourage innovation in financial products while protecting consumers’ data. In the UK, the CMA9 order serves a similar purpose. These regulatory changes are a game changer in the world of finance.

Accessing customer data allows for greater openness in the financial industry. It enables a shift from a closed banking model, where banks kept a tight hold of their customers’ data, to an open banking ecosystem where people are free to share their financial data with third-party apps or websites.

For the first time, this shift is enabling customers themselves to benefit from the sharing of banking data as fintechs use it to enhance their experiences and offer them a wider range of services.

My research shows that the traditional role of banks is changing in profound ways. Banks are increasingly operating behind the scenes as infrastructure providers, facilitating secure data exchange with fintechs. These fintechs are more agile and tech-savvy than banks, focusing on specialised customer solutions and often offering superior customer experiences.

A 2025 report found that open banking is becoming central to the global financial system. Fintechs, including digital-only banks, payment services like Stripe and Trustly, buy-now-pay-later providers and crypto platforms, are emerging as major providers of alternative financial services.

With data central to innovation, AI is reshaping how we interact with money. As an example, the same report indicates that 80% of fintechs are implementing AI. Customers are beginning to experience these advances thanks to data-driven agents like chatbots and robo advisors. This technology can analyse customer behaviour to offer personalised services in ways that were previously not possible.

Here are five ways that AI could be reshaping your relationship with money.

1. Intelligent credit-scoring

AI-driven credit scoring uses open banking data instead of a customer’s traditional bank credit history. It considers customers’ context and behaviour – things like mobile phone and rent payments – to make fairer assessments. This can encourage responsible access to credit for people on low incomes, and promote financial inclusion.

2. Debt rehabilitation services

These services can be used to manage financial behaviour. People who are struggling financially can use these debt services to track their spending patterns in real time. Trusted individuals, maybe a friend or relative, can be alerted when their spending is irregular.

3. Automated savings trackers

Saving trackers use AI to advise customers on when and how much to save. They can also transfer funds into savings accounts automatically. This can help people to manage money shocks and build financial resilience.

4. Account aggregation services

Customers can connect accounts from different banks to get an aggregate view of their financial health. This can help them to make better decisions around their money, enhancing their sense of being in control and making them more resilient against financial shocks.

5. Predictive finance

Personalised services can assess financial behaviour by learning customers’ habits and anticipating their future needs. Predictive finance can translate these assessments into practical, money-saving recommendations. People can use AI agents to plan and time a family trip. The AI agent can then autonomously make a booking that best fits and alert the customer.

Financial technology firms (fintechs) are using customer data to develop services like these that make accessing and managing money simpler – potentially making it easier for everyone to participate in the financial system. Taken together, these innovations show the promise of AI for making finance more inclusive.

But risks are inevitable. In this new landscape, the traditional trust between bank and customer might be challenged, as the open nature of transactions can increase security risks. Automated profiling, data vulnerabilities and fraud can also erode trust, invade customers’ privacy and violate their dignity. That’s why transparent regulations are needed to protect customers and preserve their digital rights.

When traditional banks and fintechs work together, they must keep the customer’s best interests in focus. After all, there is no doubt that the double-edged consequences of AI and data will continue to shape the evolving financial landscape.

But with the minute – detailing that Murrell is charged with embezzling almost £460,000 from the SNP – sent to Mr Swinney on January 19, weeks before details of the charge became public, Scottish Conservative leader Russell Findlay was insistent that the Lord Advocate had handed the First Minister a political advantage.

In a statement, actor Norton said: “This film sits in a tradition of films we deeply love, from The Godfather to Gangs of New York, that both thrill us with visceral drama and iconic characters and eras while also forcing us to face up to the shadow story under the American narrative of idealism.

Pakistan cricketers are not being considered by Indian-owned sides for next month’s Hundred auction, sources have told BBC Sport.

Players from Pakistan have not featured in the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2009 because of diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Four of The Hundred’s eight franchises – Manchester Super Giants, MI London, Southern Brave and Sunrisers Leeds – are now at least part-owned by companies that control IPL teams.

In messages seen by the BBC, a senior official from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) indicated to an agent that interest in his Pakistan players would be limited to sides not linked to the IPL.

Another agent described the situation as “an unwritten rule” across T20 leagues with Indian investment.

ECB chief executive Richard Gould said last year he expected “players from all nations to be selected for all teams” in The Hundred and warned “clear anti-discrimination policies” were in place.

None of the four teams or ownership groups in question responded to requests for comment.

An ECB spokesperson said: “The Hundred welcomes men’s and women’s players from all over the world and we would expect the eight teams to reflect that.

“Almost 1,000 cricketers from 18 nations have registered for The Hundred auction, with representation on the longlist of over 50 players respectively from Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies.”

In order to combat speeding on their roads, Siward and Godwin residents would like extra traffic calming measures put in place such as narrowing the road, installing planters, chicanes, road paint or having extra signs alerting motorists to the presence of elderly people and young children in the area.

The sweeper was carrying out a routine clean along a Cambridgeshire street

A street sweeper had to be “freed” after it got stuck in a cycle and footway. While trying to clean along Yarrow Road in Cherry Hinton earlier today (Thursday, February 19), the wheel on a street sweeper became stuck.

The wheel got stuck in a cycle and footway along the street. South Cambridgeshire Council, which runs the sweeper, had to free it from the footway.

A council spokesperson said: “A wheel on one of our small street sweepers unfortunately got stuck in a cycle and footway. This happened during a routine sweep of the cycleway and pavement along Yarrow Road.

“The sweeper has been freed, and we let Cambridgeshire County Council know – and they’ve told us their crews are already on the way to carry out repairs.”

Do you want more of the latest Cambridgeshire news as it comes in from across the county? Sign up to our dedicated newsletter to make sure you never miss a big story from Cambridge or anywhere else in the county. You can also sign up to our dedicated Peterborough, Traffic and Crime newsletters for the latest updates on the topics you are most interested in.

This quick and easy meal is not only cheap but has various health benefits

A popular British dish could help protect your heart and lower cholesterol. According to an expert, beans on toast is packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Writing for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), dietitian Dell Stanford explained why this cheap and easy meal could help reduce the risk of heart and circulatory disease. While most tinned banked means would be considered “ultra-processed” due to added sugars, salt and ingredients like thickeners or preservatives, they can “still be part of a healthy diet”.

Firstly, baked beans, which are usually haricot or cannellini beans in a tomato sauce, are high in fibre. This can help lower cholesterol levels and keep your gut healthy.

Ms Stanford said: “Baked beans are low in fat and high in fibre. They have soluble fibre, which helps lower cholesterol levels, and insoluble fibre, which helps to keep your digestive system healthy.

Advertisement

“In fact, a half-can portion of baked beans (207g), which many of us might typically eat, provides nearly a third of the 30g of fibre you need a day.” They are also a healthy source of protein.

She continued: “Baked beans are also high in plant proteins and packed with nutrients such as iron, zinc and B vitamins. And the tomato sauce is rich in lycopene, a protective antioxidant linked with a reduced risk of heart and circulatory diseases.

“Replacing some of the meat you eat with beans is a great way to eat less unhealthy saturated fat, manage your weight and reduce your risk of heart and circulatory diseases.”

Advertisement

But there’s a catch

It is important to be aware of the salt and sugar content in baked beans, though. “However, look out for the salt and sugar content of baked beans,” Ms Stanford said.

“A typical half can portion (207g) of baked beans contains about 1.3g salt. That’s 21 per cent of the maximum recommended amount of salt you should have a day (6g). A half can also contain about 9g sugar – that’s 10 per cent of the maximum recommended amount of ‘total’ sugar you should have a day.

“Traffic light labels on food packaging show only total sugars. They do not tell you how much is naturally occurring (as in fruit or milk) and how much is ‘free’ or ‘added’ sugar (as in table sugar or syrup).

“In baked beans, most of the sugar is added, because beans themselves do not naturally contain much sugar. It’s mainly from the tomato sauce.”

It is therefore worth opting for baked beans that have reduced sugar and salt where possible. To further boost the health properties of your beans on toast you should also use wholegrain bread rather than white bread, to increase the amount of fibre in the meal.

To make your meal even healthier, Ms Stanford advised you:

• Choose baked beans with reduced sugar (or no added sugar) and reduced salt
• Swap white bread for wholegrain
• Skip the butter: the beans add enough moisture, or you can use small amounts of a lower-fat spread made from unsaturated vegetable oils
• For an extra boost of goodness, add vegetables to your beans (e.g. roasted red peppers, onions, or mushrooms)

For more information, visit the BHF website here.

The move follows O&H Vehicle Conversions Ltd of Goole entering administration earlier this month.

The company, which was founded in 1988, produced vehicles including rapid response vehicles for the police, NHS ambulance services and private ambulance operators.

A statement by administrators BDO LLP said O&H Vehicle Conversions had faced financial pressures affecting the wider vehicle conversion industry and had recently suffered from delivery delays which further impacted income and cashflow.

RECOMMENDED READING:

As a result, the directors were left with no alternative but to place the company into Administration, they explained.

Following a marketing process prior to the appointment of Administrators, a solvent going concern sale was not possible.

As a result, all operations have now ceased and 157 employees have been made redundant with immediate effect.

Mark Thornton, one of the Joint Administrators said: “It is always a sad day when a longstanding business is forced to close.  Given the financial position and outlook for the Company, securing a sale of the business as a going concern was not possible.

“The priority of the Joint Administrators will now be to support employees impacted by the closure and realise assets in line with our duties in order to maximise the return for creditors.”

As the Press reported recently, company bosses said they did all they could to find a rescue deal for O&H Vehicle Conversions.

O&H managing director Mark Brickhill said: “In 2025, we delivered a record 227 NHS Emergency Double Crewed Ambulances (DCAs), up from 186 in 2024, whilst also growing and diversifying the business with a £19 million turnover.

 Mr Brickhill explained OHVC had suffered delays in the delivery of chassis, delaying £2.2million of planned and achievable sales in recent months.

The company switched towards Rapid Response Vehicle (RRV) production for both the Ambulance and Police Services, but delayed production caused by retraining staff and the lower margins such vehicles deliver, did not bridge the financial gap caused by the chassis delay.