The government of Keir Starmer has agreed to release official documents relating to the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, as a UK trade envoy. The decision follows growing scrutiny over his ties to convicted U.S. sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
The move comes after Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office — the first arrest of a senior member of the British royal family in more than three centuries. He has denied any wrongdoing related to Epstein and has previously expressed regret over their friendship.
During a parliamentary debate, junior trade minister Chris Bryant sharply criticized Mountbatten-Windsor, accusing him of using his envoy position for personal gain. Bryant described him as “rude, arrogant and entitled,” and claimed he failed to distinguish between public interest and private benefit.
Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, served as the UK’s Special Representative for International Trade and Investment from 2001 to 2011. The unpaid role involved international travel and meetings with senior business and government leaders.
Police began investigating him after the U.S. government released emails last month suggesting he had passed official documents to Epstein during his tenure as trade envoy. Trade envoys are typically bound by strict confidentiality rules that prohibit sharing sensitive material.
Opposition lawmakers strongly criticized Mountbatten-Windsor, with several calling for an end to the long-standing parliamentary convention that shields members of the royal family from criticism in the House of Commons.
Brendan O’Hara of the Scottish National Party argued that “nobody, regardless of rank or privilege, should be above the law.” The Speaker of the House allowed debate on the matter on the grounds that Mountbatten-Windsor is no longer an active member of the royal family, having been stripped of his titles.
The Liberal Democrats had pressed the government to release the documents through a parliamentary mechanism known as a “humble address.” The motion was unanimously approved by lawmakers, although turnout from the ruling Labour Party and the opposition Conservatives was limited.
Bryant said efforts would be made to release the files as soon as possible, subject to ensuring that publication does not interfere with the ongoing police investigation.
The disclosure of the vetting documents could prove embarrassing for officials who served under former Prime Minister Tony Blair, during whose government Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed. It may also deepen the crisis facing the British royal family amid mounting controversy over his links to Epstein.
The U.S. government recently released more than three million pages of documents related to Epstein, who was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a minor. The files reportedly indicate that Mountbatten-Windsor forwarded official reports in 2010 concerning visits to Vietnam, Singapore and other countries to Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor has not made any public statement since the release of the documents.