Police probe claims Prince Andrew ‘shared confidential commerce information with Epstein’

Newly released emails from the US Department of Justice appear to show Prince Andrew sharing confidential information with Jeffrey Epstein from his role as the UK’s trade envoy

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Thames Valley Police has said it is assessing claims Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor shared confidential reports from his role as the UK’s trade envoy with Jeffrey Epstein.

It comes after it emerged Prince Andrew allegedly leaked sensitive official documents from his trade envoy role to Jeffrey Epstein, according to bombshell emails unveiled by American authorities.

The correspondence, made public by the US Department of Justice this month, suggests the then Duke of York passed on classified briefings from diplomatic missions to Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore.

In one damning exchange from November 2010, Andrew appears to have forwarded an email within just five minutes of receiving it from his then-special adviser, Amir Patel.

The Duke had undertaken these official trips as Britain’s trade representative in late 2010, engaging in high-level discussions and commercial negotiations.

Most shockingly, on Christmas Eve 2010, Andrew allegedly included Epstein in a top-secret briefing about investment prospects in rebuilding Afghanistan’s war-torn Helmand Province.

Graham Smith, the head of anti-monarchy campaigner Republic, has taken the explosive claims to the authorities.

Taking to X, he declared: “I have now reported Andrew to the (Thames Valley Police) for suspected misconduct in public office and breach of official secrets in relation to these specific allegations.

“I cannot see any significant difference between these allegations and those against Peter Mandelson.”

Andrew has strenuously rejected any suggestion of impropriety.

The revelations emerge years after Epstein’s 2008 conviction for procuring a minor for prostitution.

The Duke previously insisted during his car-crash BBC Newsnight interview in 2019 that he had severed all ties with the disgraced financier in December 2010 following a trip to New York. On 9 February 2011, Andrew reportedly told Epstein that he had visited a private equity firm the previous week and “thought of you”, as the financier was apparently on the hunt for investment opportunities.

Government guidelines emphasise that trade envoys are bound by confidentiality when it comes to sensitive information. The guidance states: “This may include sensitive, commercial, or political information shared about relevant markets/visits,” and adds that this duty continues even after their term has ended.

Furthermore, the Official Secrets Acts of 1911 and 1989 apply.

Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for trade and investment from 2001 to 2011. Vince Cable, who was Business Secretary at the time, expressed surprise at the revelations, telling the BBC: “I was unaware of Andrew… sharing information about investment opportunities [in Afghanistan] before, this is the first I’ve heard of it.”

The former Duke appears multiple times in the recently released documents, including in photos where he seems to be leaning over an unidentified woman in what looks like Epstein’s New York mansion.

In 2022, Andrew paid out millions of pounds to Virginia Giuffre, his main accuser, despite insisting he had never met her. Following the posthumous publication of a book by Ms Giuffre, who claims she was trafficked by Epstein and his ex-girlfriend Ghislaine Maxwell when she was just 17, the King stripped him of his titles.

The Press Association has learned that Andrew departed Royal Lodge and moved to Norfolk earlier this month, taking up residence at a property on the King’s Sandringham estate – reportedly Wood Farm Cottage according to the Sun – where he will remain on a temporary basis.

It is believed the disgraced duke’s permanent new residence at Marsh Farm is not yet completely prepared, though he is anticipated to take up occupancy by early April.

The former prince’s departure from Royal Lodge in the new year had been anticipated, and this development is not believed to be connected to the recent disclosures in the Epstein documents.

Andrew retains his lease on the Windsor property until October, though it is understood he has completed the main portion of his relocation to his new dwelling.

Nevertheless, the process may require several more weeks to finalise, and the former prince may occasionally be spotted at Royal Lodge during this period.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been approached for comment.