‘Heads Must Roll’ If Royal Family Was Aware of Ex-Prince Andrew’s Misconduct, Says Historian

Members of the British royal family will be under heat if authorities learn that they were aware of the former Prince Andrew’s wrongdoings before his arrest, a historian says.

King Charles’ younger brother was arrested in Sandringham on Feb. 19 on suspicion of misconduct in public office, and royal author Robert Jobson warns that there will be consequences if his family members were aware of his conduct before he was detained.

“When these things went on, he was Prince Andrew, Duke of York. He was right at the heart of the royal family and appointed by the late Queen [Elizabeth] and the government. It is one thing kicking him out now and saying he is a bad apple, but they didn’t have due diligence in place. The problem will be — who knew what and when and why was nothing done?” Jobson exclusively tells PEOPLE.

“If it comes out that people knew stuff — whether it be members of the family or police or staffers — then heads must roll,” adds the historian and author of The Windsor Legacy.

Andrew was arrested at the home where he is currently staying on the Sandringham estate on Feb. 19, his 66th birthday. Police are investigating the former Duke of York over an allegation that he shared confidential information with the late Jeffrey Epstein while acting as a trade envoy for the U.K., a position he held from 2001 to 2011.

Andrew’s relationship with Epstein set his step back from public life in motion in November 2019, and he has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to the late financier, who died in prison while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges that August.

The former Duke of York, now called Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, was seen for the first time since his arrest later in the day on Thursday. He was photographed in the backseat of a vehicle and left Aylsham Police Station in Norfolk after spending about 11 hours in custody.

Earlier on Thursday, the King, 77, released a statement vowing that the palace would cooperate with police in the investigation. PEOPLE understands that Buckingham Palace was not informed of Andrew’s arrest before it happened.

Jobson notes that King Charles isn’t responsible for his brother’s wrongdoings, but the author argues that the moment must serve as a wake-up call for the monarchy to move forward.

“They have to be as accountable and transparent as a government department. All these whispers here or there, they have to be much firmer in the way they approach things. The lack of accountability and the lack of transparency has led to complacency which has led to this problem. They have to be clearer and more transparent.”

After retiring from the Royal Navy in 2001, Andrew took on a role as trade envoy for the U.K. Trade envoys promote British business interests abroad, and the post comes with an obligation of confidentiality, even after one’s term of office ends.