A group of MPs are considering launching a parliamentary probe into the role of UK trade envoys after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, it is understood.
The Business and Trade Committee will meet on Tuesday to discuss its options, as police continue to investigate the allegations against the former prince following the release of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
A convoy of unmarked police vehicles arrived at the gates to Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Park, Andrew’s former home, this morning, as searches are expected to continue over the weekend and into Monday.
It’s understood that any inquiry into UK trade envoys would start by focusing on potential governance issues within the wider system and lessons to be learned, avoiding specific commentary on Andrew until there is no risk of prejudicing criminal proceedings.
MPs could also consider looking more broadly at the appointment and accountability of UK trade envoys at the meeting, which was first reported by the Guardian newspaper.
Dubbed ‘Air Miles Andy’ amid criticism of his globe-trotting, Andrew’s 10-year stint in the role generated a great deal of controversy.
He was accused of over-using helicopters at taxpayers’ expense, in particular to attend golf-related dinners as a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
As a roving ambassador, one of his first tasks was a post-September 11 trip to New York, but Andrew faced a backlash for attending a party during his stay.
Dubbed ‘Air Miles Andy’ amid criticism of his globe-trotting, Andrew’s 10-year stint in the role generated a great deal of controversy
He was accused of over-using helicopters at taxpayers’ expense. Pictured: Andrew chats with his Chinese guide as he tours the Forbidden City in Beijing in April 2004
Andrew is pictured being driven away from a police station on Thursday following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office
The King’s disgraced brother spent 11 hours in police custody on his 66th birthday on Thursday before being released under investigation following accusations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time in the role.
Detectives continued to search his former home – Royal Lodge, in Windsor, Berkshire – on Friday.
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
Pressure is also mounting for Andrew to be removed from the line of royal succession as last night Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray confirmed that the Government was ‘considering any further steps that might be required’, and are not ruling anything out.
An Act of Parliament would be required to remove Andrew along with the support of the 14 Commonwealth countries where the King is Head of State, including New Zealand, Canada and Australia, where legislation would also be needed.
He was stripped of his titles last October by King Charles over his ties to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, but remained in the line of succession.
He had stepped down from public duties back in 2019 over allegations about his friendship with Epstein, in the wake of his disastrous Newsnight interview.
But pressure has grown for further action following continued allegations about Andrew after the further release of documents and photographs from the Epstein Files.
It is understood that Thames Valley Police are yet to receive any ‘early investigative advice’ from the Crown Prosecution Service in relation to the allegation.
In a separate review, the Met last night called on Andrew’s former security and close protection officers to come forward and reveal what they know about Andrew and Epstein, particularly about his activities on the late financier’s island.
Detectives asked them to ‘consider carefully whether anything they saw or heard’ during their service could be relevant to the investigation into Epstein and his associates.
The force has previously said it was looking into allegations Andrew’s protection officers turned a ‘blind eye’ to his visits to Epstein’s island, Little St James.
Andrew’s primary accuser, Virginia Giuffre, alleged she had sex with him during an orgy with ‘underage’ girls on the Caribbean island. Andrew has always strongly denied Guiffre’s allegations and any sexual misconduct.
Police are yet to identify any wrongdoing by his close protection officers.
The Met said it was also working with US counterparts to look at whether flights into London airports had been used to ‘facilitate human trafficking and sexual exploitation’.
It also confirmed that no new reports of alleged sexual offences had been made since the release of millions of pages of documents related to Epstein by the US Department of Justice.
Ten police forces are currently looking into or considering investigations into Andrew.
Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented on the government’s plans to remove Andrew from the line of succession, but a Palace source said:
‘The matter of removing Mr Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession is purely a matter for Parliament and, of course, we would never get in the way of that or oppose the will of Parliament.’
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
This weekend, the Royal Family will be attempting to conduct their duties as usual with the Prince and Princess of Wales expected to appear in public.
After Andrew’s arrest, the King said in a statement that ‘the law must take its course’ and the police have ‘our full and wholehearted support and co-operation’.
Charles attended the first show of London Fashion Week on Thursday, hours after Andrew’s arrest, where he did not respond when asked for his reaction to the news.
During a visit to a concert in Westminster that afternoon, the Queen also did not reply to a question about her brother-in-law’s arrest.
Meanwhile, Royal Lodge in Windsor was still being searched today by police with vehicles coming and going from the estate where Andrew lived, in the 30-room mansion, from 2004 until recently.
Yesterday, more than 20 vehicles were seen parked at the property, although it was not known whether they were all connected to the investigation and searches.
