Parliamentary Committee Prepares to Investigate Former Royal's Trade Envoy Conduct
Members of Parliament could initiate a formal investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's work as a UK trade envoy as early as next week, amid escalating demands for a criminal probe into the disgraced former royal. Liam Byrne, Labour MP and chairman of the cross-party Business and Trade Committee, declared today that "nothing is off the table" as fresh allegations emerge about the former Duke of York's activities.
Mounting Pressure for Accountability
Mr Byrne told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that MPs are determined not to let any matters "slip through the cracks" regarding the former prince's conduct during his tenure as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The committee chairman emphasized that while Parliament is currently in recess, he will ensure options are available when members convene next Tuesday morning.
"The committee's not had a chance to reflect on these allegations because recess means Parliament isn't sitting this week," Mr Byrne explained. "My task this week is to make sure that the committee's got options in front of them when they meet on Tuesday for how we might or might not take this investigation forward."
Serious Allegations Emerge from Epstein Files
Documents released in the United States relating to the late paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Epstein reveal troubling details about Mr Mountbatten-Windsor's conduct. The files show he passed confidential Treasury briefings about Iceland's financial crisis to Epstein and forwarded sensitive information about taxpayer-owned Royal Bank of Scotland.
Emails demonstrate that the King's brother allowed Epstein to organize meetings for him during an official trade mission to China in 2010. Photographs from the Epstein files also show Andrew socializing with a Chinese model during this government-sanctioned trip.
Potential Criminal Offences Identified
Leading criminal defence lawyer Marcus Johnstone, who specializes in sex crime cases, has suggested the former prince could face investigation for multiple alleged offences. These include:
- Sex trafficking and sexual exploitation
- Prostitution-related offences
- Misconduct in public office during his trade envoy role
Mr Johnstone stated: "Andrew could technically face action for a great many alleged sexual offences, including sex trafficking, sexual exploitation or even prostitution legislation - though much of this depends on what he knew and what can be proven he knew beyond all reasonable doubt."
Buckingham Palace Connections Revealed
The Epstein files indicate that Epstein's private jet, infamously known as the "Lolita Express," landed approximately ninety times in the United Kingdom, including after his 2008 conviction for child sex offences. At least one Epstein victim was allegedly flown into Britain and taken to meet Andrew at Buckingham Palace.
Emails suggest the former duke instructed aides: "Mrs Windsor will arrive shortly, please let her in and show her up," while former police protection officers reported they were "not allowed" to know visitors' names.
Financial Information Leaks Documented
Detailed correspondence reveals Mr Mountbatten-Windsor disclosed sensitive financial information obtained through his official position. In July 2010, he emailed investment banker Terence Allen about Royal Bank of Scotland's "distressed real estate" assets during the bank's post-bailout "fire sale."
The former trade envoy revealed internal information about RBS restructuring plans, including details about private bank Drummonds becoming "more integrated" with Coutts. He also claimed, without foundation, that UK Financial Investments officials were privately critical of RBS chief executive Sir Stephen Hester.
Regarding Aston Martin, Mr Mountbatten-Windsor alleged "conflicts between internal parties" and tensions between management and Kuwaiti owners, though the car manufacturer states it has no record of direct contact with the former prince.
Royal Title Stripped Amid Growing Scandal
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was stripped of all royal titles last October after a leaked email proved he lied about maintaining contact with Epstein following their December 2010 meeting in New York. Buckingham Palace announced he would no longer be known as a prince and would relocate from Royal Lodge in Windsor to the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
The former duke had previously paid millions to settle a civil sexual assault case with Virginia Giuffre in 2022, while maintaining he never met the woman who accused him of assaulting her as a teenager. Giuffre died by suicide in April 2025.
Political Figures Demand Action
Former business secretary Vince Cable has accused Mr Mountbatten-Windsor of "dreadful, cynical behaviour" and suggested police and the Director of Public Prosecutions must determine whether criminal misconduct occurred. Thames Valley Police faces increasing pressure to open an investigation into allegations the former trade envoy leaked confidential reports to Epstein.
City expert Ian Fraser, author of "Shredded" detailing RBS's near-collapse, questioned: "Why the hell did Andrew consider it appropriate to glean potentially market-sensitive information about the state-rescued bank RBS from private meetings and then leak this to contacts he clearly wished to impress?"
As Parliament prepares to resume next week, all eyes will be on the Business and Trade Committee's decision regarding a potential investigation into one of the most significant royal scandals in recent memory.
