Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, was never formally vetted to be a trade envoy, according to an investigation into his allegedly passing confidential investment information to deceased sex predator Jeffrey Epstein in 2010. File Photo by Julien Warnand/EPA
May 21 (UPI) — Files released about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in the wake of his arrest over suspicion of misconduct in public office suggest he was never vetted to become a trade envoy for the United Kingdom.
Among the 11 newly released documents is one expressing that Mountbatten-Windsor’s mother, Queen Elizabeth, was “very keen” for her son to be appointed to the position, alongside a memo from the current trade minister that no evidence exists of a background investigation before he took the role.
Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to the role in 2001, when he was still called Prince Andrew, but 10 years later resigned in 2011 as his ties to Jeffrey Epstein — then alive, a convicted sex offender — started to become public.
He lost his titles, including prince, earlier this year after the release of some Epstein-related files by the U.S. Department of Justice showed that he had continued his relationship with Epstein, among other accusations.
Trade Minister Chris Bryant said in the memo, released with the 11 documents, that “we have found no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting was undertaken” or that it was even considered.
Bryant noted, however, that it was understandable because the appointment was related the Royal Family’s work with the Overseas Trade Board.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested and released on his birthday in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office as part of an investigation by the Thames Valley Police over his relationship with the deceased sex predator.
The investigation was triggered by emails released by the U.S. Justice Department that appear to show the former prince passing confidential reports and information to Epstein, breaking rules that block trade envoys from sharing commercial or political information with unauthorized people.
The reports that Mouthbatten-Windsor allegedly passed to Epstein, less than five minutes after he received them, contained financial and investment information from an official trip he took in October 2010 to Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam.
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