UK eyes releasing files on ‘arrogant’ Andrew to clean away Epstein scandal ‘stain’
The ex-prince is accused of sharing sensitive documents with the convicted paedophile during his time as trade envoy
The UK government said on Tuesday it supported the release of documents on ex-prince Andrew’s past role as a trade envoy, hours after a veteran politician was quizzed by police in the widening Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
US authorities last month published millions of files related to the late sex offender Epstein, containing revelations that have rocked British political and royal circles.
It has ramped up pressure on Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to release its own vetting documents and sparked two separate, high-profile police investigations.
The Liberal Democrats party tabled a motion in parliament on Tuesday to force the government to release vetting documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as trade envoy, a post he held from 2001 to 2011.
The former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office and his brother King Charles has said the “law must take its course”.
Liberal Democrats leader Ed Davey said Andrew’s association with Epstein and that of former government minister Peter Mandelson, who was arrested on Monday, were a “stain on our country”.