The UK government will release vetting documents on ex-prince Andrew’s trade envoy appointment amid police probes into his and a former minister’s Epstein links.
LONDON: The UK government has committed to releasing documents concerning ex-prince Andrew’s past role as a trade envoy.
This follows a parliamentary motion and widening police investigations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
Minister Chris Bryant told parliament that publishing the vetting documents from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s 2001-2011 appointment was “the least we owe the victims” of Epstein.
He described Andrew as “a rude, arrogant and entitled man”.
The motion was passed without a vote after the government offered its support.
Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the associations of Andrew and former minister Peter Mandelson with Epstein were a “stain on our country”.
He argued transparency was needed to begin cleaning that stain.
Bryant cautioned about the speed of release due to the age and volume of material and the ongoing police probe.
Andrew is being investigated over allegations he shared sensitive documents with Epstein during his envoy tenure.
He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
King Charles III has stated the “law must take its course” regarding his brother.
Andrew has long denied any wrongdoing related to his friendship with Epstein.
He settled a US civil lawsuit in 2022 with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexual abuse, without admitting liability.
The push for Andrew’s files coincides with plans to release documents on Mandelson’s 2024 appointment as UK ambassador to Washington.
Mandelson, arrested and bailed this week, faces a separate misconduct probe related to his Epstein links.
His brief ambassadorship caused a political storm, leading to two prime ministerial aides resigning.
Released files appear to show Mandelson passed financial information to Epstein around 2009-2010.
He has apologised for the friendship but insisted he was unaware of Epstein’s sexual crimes.
Andrew’s biographer, Andrew Lownie, told AFP that then-prime minister Tony Blair and Mandelson “pushed his appointment through” as trade envoy.
Police have now concluded a search of a Berkshire address linked to Andrew’s arrest, believed to be his former home, Royal Lodge.
Neither Andrew nor Mandelson has been charged with any offence.
The Sun Malaysia
