A former palace protection officer did not mince his words when describing what it was like to work with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. In a brutal four-word confession, Paul Page described the former prince as a “rude, horrible little man” who was “obnoxious and full of his own self-importance”.

The aide was employed at Buckingham Palace from 1998 to 2004. Speaking from his home on the outskirts of London, Mr Page also gave extraordinary insight into Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s behaviour towards palace staff, alleging he would “bully” them and call them “f**** imbeciles”.

Speaking to the Daily Telegraph Australia, Mr Page said, “No one had the guts to go to the [late] Queen and say can you reel him in because he’s really terrorising his own staff.”

Thames Valley Police denied briefing the Home Office before the arrest, but issued a statement from the National Police Chiefs’ Council to clarify that the NPCC did so.

The statement read: “In line with routine practice, the National Police Chiefs’ Council alerted operational colleagues within the Home Office of the arrest. This gave 30 minutes’ notice before Thames Valley Police made the arrest.”

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Thames Valley police have concluded searches at Andrew’s new home on the Sandringham Estate where he was arrested, but the search continues at the Royal Lodge on the Windsor grounds.

The King, who was not told of the arrest in advance, said he learned of the news “with the deepest concern”.

The arrest, comes after Thames Valley Police said they were assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.