Prince Andrew ‘used taxpayers’ cash for massages’ as Royal Lodge probe goes on
Retired civil servants have made new bombshell allegations about the former Duke of York’s expense claims for massages and travel during his time as UK trade envoy
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is under the spotlight(Image: PA Wire/PA Images)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor utilised public funds for massages and extravagant travel expenses whilst serving as the UK’s trade envoy, former civil servants have alleged.
The BBC revealed that one ex-civil servant declined to authorise payment for Andrew’s massage costs, but was overruled by senior officials, telling the broadcaster: “I thought it was wrong… I’d said we mustn’t pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway.”
A former Whitehall official, who supervised budgets, separately informed the BBC they had “absolutely no doubt” regarding the legitimacy of the allegation after witnessing comparable expenses for his international journeys.
Their statements emerge as police searches of Andrew’s previous residence, Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, were anticipated to extend into Monday following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday.
The former prince remained in custody for 11 hours on his 66th birthday whilst officers examined his property on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk before being released pending investigation.
Andrew stands accused of disclosing confidential information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his tenure as UK’s special representative for international trade and investment.
In a recorded interview under oath in 2009, Epstein’s former Florida housekeeper Juan Alessi stated Andrew would receive “daily massages” during his visits. Speaking about the alleged misuse of taxpayers’ money for massages during his tenure as the UK’s trade envoy, a whistleblower who spoke to the BBC stated: “I can’t say it would have stopped him, but we should have flagged that something was wrong.”
A separate Whitehall official, who claimed Andrew made excessive claims for flights, hotel rooms and expenses for his entourage, told the broadcaster: “I couldn’t believe it… it was like it wasn’t real money, they weren’t spending any of their own money.”
Ahead of opposition day in the House of Commons on Tuesday, The Liberal Democrats indicated they might request a debate to further scrutinise Andrew’s former role as the UK’s trade envoy.
A source within the political party suggested they were contemplating how to utilise opposition day to “secure more transparency and parliamentary scrutiny”.
On Monday, a Liberal Democrats source stated: “This is a complex and fast moving situation, and the police must be allowed to get on with their important work.
“But we are carefully considering how best to use our opposition day to secure more transparency and parliamentary scrutiny around Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his role as trade envoy, in the public interest.”
Calls have intensified from various public figures for a broader investigation into Andrew’s past associations with Epstein.
He has denied any wrongdoing regarding his connections to the convicted sex offender, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
Despite being divested of his title last year, the former Duke of York remains eighth in line to the throne, and an Act of Parliament would be necessary to disqualify Andrew and prevent him from ever ascending to the throne.
It’s understood that Sir Keir Starmer’s Government will contemplate introducing such legislation once police have concluded their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother, according to the Press Association.
On Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales made their first joint public outing since the arrest, gracing the Bafta awards on Sunday evening.
During the event, William confessed to Elaine Bedell, chief executive of the Southbank Centre, and Allison Kirkby, chief executive of BT Group, that he had yet to watch Hamnet – adding: “I need to be in quite a calm state and I’m not at the moment.”
