MPs consider inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s controversial trade envoy role
An influential committee of MPs might initiate an inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s role as a UK trade envoy despite his arrest, as it has come to light that the disgraced former royal frequently urged ministers for a larger government role.
Following his arrest on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the cross-party business and trade committee announced it would convene next Tuesday to discuss a potential investigation into the role he held from 2001 to 2011.
The decade-long term as what was officially designated as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment concluded after numerous controversies, including his associations with figures from oppressive regimes, a personal style perceived as brusque, as well as his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein.
According to a senior figure who worked with Mountbatten-Windsor during his role with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), a responsibility shared between the Foreign Office and the business department, he repeatedly requested ministers for a more prominent position.
"He approached ministers personally, saying ’Can you find a bigger role for me?’," they stated.
"Trade envoys are not deemed a very significant part of the state, they are primarily tokenistic. Andrew seemed to feel he had no real role in life, but believed he had something to offer in terms of contacts globally, especially with royalty."
Others who observed his trade envoy work within the government at the time said that, while his royal status could occasionally be beneficial, he was generally perceived as a liability, both due to his personality and his approach to the role.
"The typical scenario would involve him showing up – and being a royal, he’d gain access in some countries – attending a lunch meeting, then disappearing for six hours and returning with two new Rolexes," another senior figure remarked.
"What I observed was a rather unpleasant, arrogant, entitled person who was on the hustle and couldn’t differentiate between public interest and personal interests.
"It created quite a general sense of distaste. It was always unclear who would finance his trips – the Foreign Office, business department, or the palace. And it wasn’t cheap. He attended Davos one year and insisted on the most expensive chalet."
Another frustration was the then prince’s lack of communication with the government. Weeks before David Cameron led a high-level visit to Beijing in late 2010, Andrew traveled to China on his own mission.
"Before they departed, they discovered Andrew had already been there and they weren’t informed," one government figure noted.
An area the business committee could examine is whether there could have been more done while Andrew was still in the position to challenge this alleged behavior, especially if there were concerns that his actions might verge on illegality.
Both individuals who dealt with him in the role indicated this seemed unlikely, partly because few in the government took his job seriously.
"There was a general feeling that Andrew was seen as somewhat of a liability, a freeloader, who didn’t contribute anything particularly useful, but that UKTI tolerated it because it was something that would please the royals," the first figure said.
The second person, however, expressed that, especially during the governments of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, which comprised the majority of the period, there was in hindsight too much deference shown.
"I don’t think anyone could have predicted anything regarding allegations of misconduct in public office, particularly since it’s not clear if this was even a public office," they said.
"But this was, absolutely, a government of individuals who loved tugging their forelock, and who enjoyed the company of wealthy individuals."
Among those who reportedly advocated for Andrew to receive the envoy position was Peter Mandelson, the former business secretary who is separately being investigated by police over allegations that he leaked market-sensitive information to Epstein, the late child sex offender.
Downing Street is currently examining a mass of documents pertaining to Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington in late 2024, a role which ended after details emerged about his connections to Epstein.
A first batch of the documents, ordered to be released by a Commons vote, might emerge next week, with parliament returning from recess.
Head of Investigations
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