Government Agrees to Release Prince Andrew Trade Envoy Papers
The UK government has confirmed it will not oppose a parliamentary motion compelling the release of documents regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's controversial appointment as British trade envoy in 2001. This decision follows mounting pressure from the Liberal Democrats, who used their opposition day debate to demand transparency about how the former prince secured such a privileged government role.
Police Investigation Delays Publication
Trade Minister Chris Bryant, responding to the Lib Dem motion, stated the government would fully comply with the parliamentary request but emphasized that publication must wait until after the completion of a live police investigation. Mountbatten-Windsor became the first modern royal family member to be arrested over allegations of misconduct in public office, with emails suggesting he shared confidential government information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as trade representative.
"The government will, of course, comply with the terms of the humble address in full," Bryant told Parliament. "But as the House will know, there is a live police investigation into the former Duke of York after his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. It would be wrong of me to say anything that might prejudice these proceedings."
Transparency Versus Investigation Integrity
The minister, who as a Labour MP previously called for Mountbatten-Windsor's removal from the trade envoy position in 2011, described the former prince as a "rude, arrogant and entitled man" who allegedly failed to distinguish between public interest and personal gain. Bryant asserted the government prioritizes transparency over defending the original appointment made during Tony Blair's premiership, stating: "If there are things that are embarrassing for the government, who cares? I want to make sure we end up getting justice for the victims."
Keir Starmer's official spokesperson echoed this commitment to transparency while acknowledging the necessary "balancing exercise" to avoid compromising the ongoing police investigation.
Liberal Democrats Demand Accountability
Lib Dem leader Ed Davey, who tabled the humble address motion, argued that "the public is rightly demanding to know" how Mountbatten-Windsor was initially appointed to the influential trade role. He emphasized the broader principle that "no one, regardless of their title or their friends, should be beyond the scrutiny of parliament."
During the debate, Davey offered a public apology for his own past support of the former prince's trade envoy work. In 2011, while serving as business minister, he had praised Mountbatten-Windsor's performance as "excellent" and dismissed concerns as "innuendo." Davey expressed regret to Epstein's victims who might have been upset by his earlier statements, admitting he "wasn't really over the brief" at the time and noting that no MPs had mentioned Epstein during that earlier parliamentary discussion.
Background of the Controversial Appointment
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor served as "special representative for international trade and investment" from 2001 to 2011, a position granting him unprecedented access to senior government and business leaders worldwide. The controversy intensified recently with the release of US Department of Justice files containing emails allegedly showing the former prince forwarded government reports from official visits to Vietnam, Singapore, and China to Epstein in 2010. Additional documents suggest he shared information about investment opportunities in Afghan gold and uranium with the convicted financier.
The Lib Dem motion specifically calls for the release of all documents related to the 2001 appointment, including any correspondence involving former Business Secretary Peter Mandelson. Mountbatten-Windsor has not commented on the specific allegations emerging from the latest document release but has previously denied any wrongdoing concerning his association with Epstein.
