Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Allegedly Sought Epstein's Assistance for Major US Defence Contract
Disgraced royal Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is embroiled in fresh controversy after emails from the Epstein Files appear to show he asked Jeffrey Epstein for help in securing £150 million to finance a fuel supply deal for the US Defence Department. The revelations have sparked calls for a police review and raised serious concerns about Andrew's conduct during his time as a UK trade envoy.
Email Exchange Reveals Financial Request
In September 2010, Andrew was approached by a managing partner of Concord Investment Partners Holdings regarding securing $200 million (approximately £150 million) for Aria Petroleum, a substantial fuel distribution company operating in Central Asia. The objective was to fund "significantly increased business" with the US Department of Defence, indicating a major military supply contract.
Three months later, on December 2, 2010, Andrew forwarded this email to the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. In his accompanying message, Andrew wrote: "I should have done something about this but not sure if the office did. I am checking but as this is a US institution do you know of anyone who might like to take a look?" He signed the email as HRH The Duke of York KG, his official title at the time.
Timing and Denials
This correspondence occurred in the same month Andrew traveled to New York, where he initially claimed he intended to end his friendship with Epstein. However, it was later revealed that their contact continued for years afterward. Andrew has consistently and strongly denied any wrongdoing related to his association with Epstein, maintaining his innocence throughout multiple investigations and public scrutiny.
The original sender of the email was not included in the forwarded message, adding a layer of opacity to the communication. According to reports, Aria Petroleum Limited was registered in Britain in 2012, with filings indicating it was partially controlled by Gunvor, a company described by the US Treasury in November of the previous year as a "Kremlin puppet." This connection raises additional questions about potential geopolitical implications.
Political and Legal Repercussions
Former Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who served as transport minister when these emails were exchanged, has called for a thorough police review of the documents. Baker stated: "I think there's a need for a general review into all of Andrew's activities as trade envoy, both in terms of propriety and legality but also more morally: what he was doing and what the impact was on Britain, because he wasn't, in my view, representing Britain but representing himself."
Baker emphasized the urgency of the situation, adding: "And immediately out of this, what needs to happen is we need to have a clear understanding from him as to whether he got any money out of this. He's potentially endangering UK-US relations, potentially aiding and abetting a dodgy Russian, and potentially damaging Britain's credibility on the international landscape. And for all those reasons, we need to be clear what actually happened. He should make a clear statement and answer the question directly as to whether he got commission for this and if so, how much?"
Mounting Pressure and Embarrassment
This email revelation is expected to heap further embarrassment on Andrew, who already faces mounting pressure to travel to the United States to answer questions about his association with Epstein. The documents add to a growing list of controversies surrounding his role and actions, with critics arguing they undermine public trust and diplomatic relations.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in high-profile positions, particularly when involving international deals and sensitive defence matters. As investigations continue, the focus remains on uncovering the full extent of Andrew's involvement and ensuring proper scrutiny of his activities as a former trade envoy.
