Francesca Rudkin: It’s time the US Department of Justice followed the UK's example

Well, there is absolutely no question what the biggest story in the world was on Friday. Words used to describe the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly Prince Andrew, were 'historic', 'jaw dropping', and 'stunning'. It has been described as a huge moment in the history of the modern royal family.  But there were other royal commentators who weren’t surprised at all with how Andrew’s 66th birthday unfolded. They’d been watching the pressure build and felt Friday’s events were a long time coming.  If you have read Andrew Lownie’s biography of Andrew and his former wife Sarah Ferguson, called Entitled, you will be familiar with the controversies during his decade lone tenure as a tax payer funded civil servant. When I spoke to Lownie last year he felt there should be a parliamentary, and crime agency, enquiry into Andrew’s role as the Special Trade Envoy, and that it could lead to criminal charges. It was announced overnight that a cross party business and trade committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss exactly this.   In response to the unprecedented arrest of a royal family member, Buckingham Palace made it clear the royal family had not been given a heads up that Andrew was about to be arrested and investigated for suspicion of misconduct in public office. And yet, King Charles III quickly offered up an impressive and upfront statement, giving the impression Buckingham Palace were prepared for this day too.  Respectable working members of the family are already under pressure when out in public to answer questions about Andrew. With an arrest, investigation, and potential charges and a trial, this crisis could be in the public eye for years.  King Charles recognises this, and by putting duty ahead of his brother in his statement he continues the institution’s distancing from Andrew and his many messes.  In a crisis this big, the royal family’s philosophy of 'never complain, never explain' simply isn’t going to cut it and is coming to an end.  It is important to note that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrong-doing, and that his arrest is not related to accusations of sexual assault or misconduct. What I find sad about all this is how hard it is for the many women raped and sexually assaulted as girls, by Jeffrey Epstein and allegedly some of his mates, to seek justice. Lawyers, academics, and ambassadors have lost their jobs, but the focus and interest has shifted to the exposure and workings of a rich and powerful global network, rather that the real victims in this story.  Never-the-less, the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is a timely reminder that in the UK - at least - no one is above the law.  Before they look morally bankrupt, it’s time the American Department of Justice acted likewise and got back to seeking justice for the real victims in this sordid episode.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.