MPs again launch of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor information as ex-prince branded ‘impolite’
Documents about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s role as a UK trade envoy will be released as a minister branded him “a rude, arrogant and entitled man”.
The Liberal Democrats used an arcane Commons tool known as a humble address to compel ministers to disclose information about the disgraced former prince’s appointment to the role he held between 2001 and 2011. It follows a similar tactic used by the Conservatives over Peter Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to Washington.
The former Duke of York has been accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while in post. He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.
Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said the Government would not oppose the motion – but warned nothing could be published that would jeopardise a police probe.
Sir Chris described Andrew as “a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle” and “a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest”.
“Let me be clear from the outset, we support this motion today,” he said. “Frankly, it is the least we owe the victims of the horrific abuse that was perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and others, the abuse that was enabled, aided and abetted by a very extensive group of arrogant, entitled and often very wealthy individuals in this country and elsewhere.
“It’s not just the people who participated in the abuse. It’s the many, many more who turned a blind eye out of greed, familiarity or deference.”
In a brutal swipe, Sir Chris said he was “a man on a constant self-aggrandising, 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 Business and Trade Committee said it stood ready to launch a probe into UK trade envoys once the police inquiry was complete.
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