UK prosecutors refuse to guarantee Tate brothers immunity if they return for civil rape trial

*TL;DR: The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will not cancel arrest warrants for Andrew and Tristan Tate, meaning they could be detained if they return to the UK to testify in a civil rape case.

Context Four women have filed a civil claim alleging rape, coercive control and assault by the Tate brothers. The claimants seek testimony from Andrew and Tristan, who are currently outside the UK. Their legal team asked the CPS for written assurances that the brothers would not be arrested upon arrival.

Key Facts - The CPS responded that there is “no justification” for withdrawing the warrants and therefore cannot guarantee the brothers’ freedom if they travel back. - Andrew Tate faces ten criminal charges, including rape, actual bodily harm, human trafficking and controlling prostitution for gain. Tristan Tate faces eleven charges, also covering rape and human trafficking. - Both men were charged in Romania in December 2022 and remain subject to Romanian criminal proceedings. The CPS has agreed not to extradite them to the UK while those cases continue. - The brothers have offered to give evidence remotely from the United States, a request the court noted as more realistic given their public statements and the lack of assurance from prosecutors. - The civil case could be delayed; a direction is expected on Wednesday, with a possible regrouping in July and a substantive hearing before Christmas.

What It Means The CPS stance keeps the brothers exposed to arrest, effectively limiting their ability to appear in person for the civil proceedings. Their refusal to travel may push the case toward remote testimony or further delays, complicating the claimants’ effort to secure a timely hearing. The decision also underscores the separation between ongoing criminal investigations in Romania and the UK civil process.

Looking Ahead Watch for the court’s direction on the civil timetable and any further legal challenges the Tates mount against the CPS’s handling of their criminal cases.