Topics: Prince Andrew, Royal Family, UK News, Crime, Jeffrey Epstein, Police
A call for the release of files related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's controversial stint as a trade envoy has been backed by MPs.
Leaders of the Liberal Democrats urged the Commons to make documents surrounding the former 'Prince's' appointment public following his arrest by Thames Valley Police last week.
Andrew was apprehended on Wednesday (19 Feb) at Wood Farm in Norfolk by plain-clothed officers on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
His arrest came amidst accusations that the royal had shared confidential information with sex offender Jeffrey Epstein whilst in the prestigious role, which he held between 2001 and 2011.
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A subsequent search on Wood Farm concluded the day after his arrest. A police update shared today (25 Feb) confirmed that another search of Royal Lodge in Berkshire, where Andrew previously lived with his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, until The King ordered his eviction back in October, had been completed.
Officials added, however, that their investigation was 'ongoing'.
As a reminder, Andrew has denied any allegations of wrongdoing in his association with Epstein.
In light of the allegations against him, however, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey yesterday (24 Feb) slammed the 'shame' he has inflicted on the British monarchy during an appearance at the House of Commons.
"Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has shamed our country and the Royal Family," the politician hit out.
Davey's fellow Lib Dem, Helen Morgan MP, agreed, branding the former Duke of York's association with 'one of the most despicable paedophiles in history', as 'absolutely poisonous'.
After another minister, Daisy Cooper, described the events as a 'conspiracy of silence', Morgan agreed, adding: "What we have seen here is complicity by people at the heart of the British establishment, who we are in the right place to hold to account."
As a reminder, Epstein took his own life in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking charges.
MPs have since backed the Lib Dems' motion to have files relating to Andrew's alleged crimes released, with Trade minister Chris Bryant telling the Commons that the Labour government would comply 'as soon as practicable and possible within law'.
He claimed his team would strive towards 'maximum transparency and timeliness'.
Branding Andrew a 'rude, arrogant and entitled man', the left-leaning politician went on to 'praise the work of our present trade envoys', 'who are all accountable through the minister of trade and through the department'.
Bryant added, however, that the release of files related to allegations against Andrew - which carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment - must abide by the timings of the ongoing police investigation.
"Where documents may speak materially to the offence of misconduct in public office, or any other offence that may be considered by police, we will have to follow the advice of prosecuting authorities," he explained.
"I would dearly, dearly love to be able to stand at this despatch box and say that it will never happen again. But I would bet my bottom dollar that there are young people today who are being abused by rich, wealthy, arrogant, entitled people, and it will continue."
The minister continued: "We must do everything in our power to make sure that the deference, influence and complicity does not allow that to happen. But in the end, the only recourse we have is the court of law."
Prior to his comments, Lib Dem MP Luke Taylor had asked for an update from Labour officials on the possibility of enacting legislation to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession.
He reminded attendees that, when Andrew was notoriously photographed walking through a New York park with Epstein in 2011 - three years after the latter's first charge for soliciting a child for prostitution - he was fourth in line to the British throne.
"At the time that that scandal was occurring, how close he was to the throne. It's disgusting," Taylor lamented. "I'm going to ask the minister specifically if he can give us an update on legislation that the government might bring forward to remove Andrew from the line of succession."
Bryant later responded to Taylor's call for the father-of-two to be removed from the succession line, claiming his team is working 'at pace' to see legislation put into place to enact this.
