UK Government Set To Release The 'Andrew Files' During His Time as a Trade Envoy
The opposition party, the Liberal Democrats, formally tabled a motion in Parliament calling for a release of the documents.
For years, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor evaded the law, using his privilege to carry out alleged unscrupulous activities. However, with the release of the Epstein files and mounting public pressure, he has finally been held accountable. In that context, several Members of Parliament have unanimously agreed to release the 'Andrew files,' aka documents from his time as the UK's trade envoy. The development is unlikely to bring relief to the former prince, who was arrested over allegations of leaking confidential government information to Jeffrey Epstein.
In a debate in the House of Commons held on February 24, Trade Minister Sir Chris Bryant revealed that the Government would release the files "as soon as is practicable and possible within the law." However, he stressed that documents related to Mountbatten-Windsor's misconduct in public office could be delayed on the advice of prosecutors. As reported by Newsweek, he said, "Colleagues and many civil servants have told me their own stories of their interactions with Mr Mountbatten-Windsor and they all portray the same pattern." He continued, "A man on a constant self-aggrandizing and self-enriching hustle, a rude, arrogant, and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest."
Meanwhile, the leader of the Liberal Democrats, Sir Ed Davey, emphasized the importance of holding those in power accountable. He said, "I think anyone who has had any comment to make on Andrew as trade envoy over the years will be pretty angry." Labour MP Rachael Maskell also echoed that the former prince "must be held to account", adding, "The web of abuse surrounding Epstein and his associates must be brought to book." Chiming in, Green Party MP Sian Berry accused the royal family of being 'sheltered from scrutiny,' explaining that such naivety may pose a risk.
However, despite a push from the MPs, the government has indicated that it does not wish to create any obstacle to the ongoing police investigation. Thames Valley Police reportedly possesses millions of emails contained in the Epstein files, along with any evidence recovered in Royal Lodge and Wood Farm residences. Following an extensive investigation, if Mountbatten-Windsor is charged with misconduct in public office, and if he were to plead guilty, a trial date would then need to be set, which could take months or even years before the process is concluded.
According to GB News, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has currently refused to release the files from Mountbatten-Windsor's time as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. On February 19, the former Duke of York was arrested on suspicion of leaking secret government information as a trade envoy. Shortly after his arrest, Thames Valley Police said in a statement to the BBC, "As part of the investigation, we have today (19/2) arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office and are carrying out searches at addresses in Berkshire and Norfolk." He was released after 11 hours of questioning by the Aylsham Police Station.
