MPs to consider inquiry into trade envoy role after Andrew’s arrest

An influential group of MPs is considering launching a parliamentary inquiry into the role of UK trade envoys following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on suspicion of abuse of public office.

The Business and Trade Committee will discuss its options on Tuesday amid a police investigation following allegations made against the former prince following the release of files on pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

It is understood that any investigation will look at potential governance issues and lessons learned within the wider system, and specific comments about Mr Mountbatten-Windsor will be avoided until the risk of undermining criminal proceedings is removed.

MPs may also consider looking more broadly at the appointment and responsibilities of UK trade ambassadors at the meeting.

Committee chairman Liam Byrne said: Telegram He takes the matter “extremely seriously” and says MPs are “not inclined to let things slip through the cracks”.

It comes amid reports that Lord Mandelson, who was forced to resign over his links to Jeffrey Epstein, backed Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for the role despite the King expressing his opposition to it.

The Telegraph, King Charles’ mother He asked Elizabeth to block the appointment, a source told the newspaper, expressing concerns that Andrew would be “headed by rich people”.

The king also reportedly warned that his brother “couldn’t help himself” when tempted.

But the warnings were ignored and Lord Mandelson reportedly suggested that the former prince was “very suitable” for the job.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith, leader of the Opposition when Andrew was appointed, said the committee asked “Was Mandelson involved and, if so, why?” He said he had to ask the question.

He added: “To what extent did Tony Blair know that Mandelson supported this, because none of this would have happened if Andrew had not been appointed in the first place.”

Meanwhile, Reform UK’s Richard Tice said: “The appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as UK trade envoy must be urgently investigated. “His close ties to Jeffrey Epstein were clear at the time, and Andrew continued in his role even after Epstein was first convicted of soliciting minors for prostitution.

“Questions must be asked about why Tony Blair’s government thought this man was fit to represent us on the world stage.”

However, it was understood that such questions would not be asked until the criminal case was concluded.

Amid criticism of his globetrotting, Andrew, nicknamed “Air Miles Andy”, was accused of overusing helicopters at taxpayers’ expense during his 10-year tenure in office, particularly to attend golf-related dinners as a member of St Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf Club.

One of his first assignments as a traveling ambassador was a post-9/11 trip to New York, but Andrew faced backlash for attending a party during his stay.

The Kazakhstan president’s relations with his son-in-law Timor Kulibayev came under the spotlight after Mr Kulibayev bought the former duke’s Sunninghill Park home for £3 million more than the £12 million asking price in 2007.

He also faced questions about his connections to politicians in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Libya and Turkmenistan.

Andrew was arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office following allegations made against him following the release of files on pedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein.

This came after the government promised to consider disinheriting him once police investigations were concluded.

Although he was stripped of his title last year, the former Duke of York remains eighth in line to the throne and an Act of Parliament will need to be passed to depose Andrew and prevent him from ever becoming king again.

It is understood Sir Keir Starmer’s government will consider introducing such legislation after police complete their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother.

The former duke spent 11 hours in police custody on his 66th birthday before being released as part of an investigation into allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein while he was Britain’s trade envoy.

Detectives continued to search his former home, Royal Lodge, in Windsor, Berkshire, on Friday.