The UK government has agreed to release documents relating to Andrew’s former role as trade envoy as police investigations linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal intensify
The UK government confirmed on Tuesday that it will release documents concerning the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a trade envoy, following renewed scrutiny triggered by the widening fallout from the publication of millions of files by US authorities linked to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The disclosure comes amid mounting pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Labour government as both Andrew and former minister Peter Mandelson face high-profile police investigations.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Minister Chris Bryant told parliament the government would release the vetting documents related to
Andrew’s appointment, which he held from 2001 to 2011. The move followed a procedural request from the Liberal Democrats using a rarely deployed mechanism designed to compel ministers to provide documents dating back to the period when Tony Blair led a Labour government.
Bryant said releasing the files was “the least we owe the victims” of Epstein, adding criticism of Andrew’s conduct.
Police investigations and mounting criticism
Mountbatten-Windsor, stripped of his royal titles last year, is under police investigation over allegations he shared sensitive documents with Epstein while serving as trade envoy. He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office. His brother, King Charles III, publicly stated that “the law must take its course”.
Ed Davey described the associations of both Andrew and Mandelson with Epstein as “a stain on our country”, urging transparency. The Liberal Democrats’ motion, known as a humble address, passed without a vote after receiving government backing.
Bryant cautioned that releasing the documents may take time due to their age and scale, as well as the ongoing police investigation. Andrew has denied wrongdoing.
Ongoing fallout from accusations linked to Epstein
The renewed scrutiny also revisits allegations by Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide last year. She accused Andrew of being trafficked to have sex with him three times starting in 2001, including twice when she was 17. Andrew settled a US civil lawsuit in 2022 without admitting liability.
The government’s pledge to release Andrew-related documents coincides with preparations to publish in early March the first batch of files tied to Mandelson’s 2024 appointment as UK ambassador in Washington. The main opposition Conservative Party had previously used the same parliamentary mechanism to demand their release.
Mandelson faces separate misconduct probe
Mandelson, a long-standing figure in British politics and UK envoy to Washington u