Cabinet Office accused of covering up for Prince Andrew after files withheld from National Archives
The Cabinet Office has been accused of covering up for the royal family after official papers referring to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were withheld from the National Archives.
The annual release of government papers to the National Archives in Kew, west London, in accordance with the 20-year rule, includes a No 10 file from 2004 and 2005 concerning royal visits.
The version initially available to journalists under embargo, allowing them to prepare stories in advance, included minutes of a meeting where officials discussed the travel plans of various royals, including the Duke of York, as he was then known.
However, the minutes were later removed from the file before it was made available to the public.
The Cabinet Office, responsible for transferring the files to the National Archives, blamed an "administrative error," stating that the documents were never intended for release.
A spokesman stated: "All records are handled in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Act. Any release undergoes an extensive review process, which includes engaging expert stakeholders."
However, Graham Smith, chief executive of the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, argued that there was no justification for withholding the documents, especially since Andrew has been stripped of his royal status amid ongoing controversy over his links with the convicted financier Jeffrey Epstein.
"There should be no royal exemption at all. But this exemption surely doesn’t apply to Andrew now that he’s no longer a royal," Mr. Smith said.
"The most likely reason behind this attempt to prevent disclosure is pressure from the Palace. The royals have attempted to keep everything secret regarding Andrew, not to protect him, but to protect themselves.
"The royals are one of the most secretive institutions in the UK. These documents should be released without fear or favor, allowing the public to make informed judgments about the royals."
Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The minutes, seen by journalists including the Press Association before they were removed from the file, seemed to be unremarkable.
There is a discussion by senior palace and Foreign Office officials regarding his travel plans as a UK trade envoy, which earned him the nickname "air miles Andy," with visits to China, Russia, Southeast Asia, and Spain.
Officials also discussed whether the Football Association would be willing to cover the cost for him to attend the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal as a royal representative.
It was noted that a change to the rules for royal travel meant that his visits as a trade envoy would henceforth be funded by the Royal Travel Office instead of UK Trade and Industry, which would need to find an additional £90,000.
Additionally, the minutes show that a proposal for Prince William (now the Prince of Wales) to visit China was declined because he should not undertake official duties until at least the age of 25.
The retention of the minutes highlights how files relating to the royal family are routinely withheld from release under the Public Records Act.
Technology & Business Editor
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