MPs to Consider Formal Inquiry Into Andrew's Trade Envoy Role
The influential cross-party business and trade committee will convene next Tuesday to deliberate on launching a formal investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's controversial tenure as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment. This development follows the former prince's arrest on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, casting renewed scrutiny on his government role from 2001 to 2011.
Persistent Lobbying for Greater Government Role
According to senior government figures who interacted with Mountbatten-Windsor during his time with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), the former royal repeatedly approached ministers seeking a more substantial government position. "He approached ministers personally, saying 'Can you find a bigger role for me?'" revealed one senior official familiar with the matter. "Trade envoys are not considered a very important part of the state, they are mainly tokenistic. Andrew seemed to feel he had no real role in life, but had something to offer in terms of contacts around the world, particularly royalty."
Widespread Perception as Government Liability
Multiple sources within government during Andrew's tenure described him as widely regarded as a liability, despite occasional usefulness of his royal status for international access. "The classic thing would be for him to turn up – and being a royal would get access in some countries – do a lunch meeting but then disappear for six hours and come back with two new Rolexes," another senior figure recounted.
What I saw was a rather unpleasant, arrogant, entitled person who was on the hustle and couldn't tell the difference between the public interest and his private interests. It created quite a sense of general distaste. It was always never completely clear who would pay for his trips – the Foreign Office, business department or the palace. And it wasn't cheap. He went to Davos one year and insisted on the most expensive chalet.
Lack of Coordination and Government Deference
Another significant area of concern was Andrew's failure to coordinate with government officials. Weeks before then-Prime Minister David Cameron led a high-level delegation to Beijing in late 2010, Andrew conducted his own mission to China without informing relevant departments. "Before they went they found out Andrew had already been there and they hadn't been told," a government figure disclosed.
The business committee's potential inquiry will examine whether sufficient oversight existed during Andrew's tenure and whether concerns about his behavior should have been addressed more forcefully. Both individuals who dealt with him suggested that few in government took his role seriously enough to anticipate legal issues. "There was a general sense that Andrew was seen as a bit of a liability, a freeloader, who didn't do much that useful, but that UKTI put up with it because it was something which would please the royals," the first figure stated.
Political Connections and Ongoing Investigations
Among those reportedly advocating for Andrew's appointment as trade envoy was former Business Secretary Peter Mandelson, who is himself currently under police investigation for allegedly leaking market-sensitive information to the late child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Downing Street is currently reviewing numerous documents related to Mandelson's brief appointment as ambassador to Washington in late 2024, a position he vacated following revelations about his Epstein connections.
A first batch of these documents, ordered released by a Commons vote, could become public next week as Parliament resumes following recess. The committee's meeting on Tuesday represents a significant step toward formal parliamentary scrutiny of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's decade as trade envoy, with potential implications for understanding royal involvement in government affairs and oversight mechanisms for special representatives.
