Newly released documents have revealed that the government rejected an unsolicited offer from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to help find investors for Sheffield Forgemasters, a major UK steel firm. The former Duke of York, who served as a trade envoy at the time, offered his assistance in July 2010 after an £80 million government loan for the company's expansion was cancelled.
Government Advised to Decline Offer
A briefing note, released under Freedom of Information laws, shows that ministers were advised to tell Andrew that “no further work in this area is required for the time being.” The documents indicate that Sheffield Forgemasters was not seeking replacement investment, and senior figures at the South Yorkshire-based heavy engineering firm were unaware of any such approach. The company later stated it found no evidence it had been aware of any proposed investors or intervention after the loan cancellation.
Epstein-Associated Email Emerges
The disclosure comes amid separate Epstein-related files showing an associate of Andrew, David Stern, wrote in July 2010: “Had meeting with PA - no action re Sheffield Foregmasters [sic] and Aston Martin without your go-ahead. He is waiting for further info from the companies which I will send you - will join him at dinner on Monday for China-Britain Business Council.” It remains unclear whether there is any link between that email and the later offer of help.
Lord Marland, who was due to meet Andrew at the time, said Epstein was not mentioned in their discussions. He told the Yorkshire Post: “There was no mention of Jeffrey Epstein I can recall. I asked Prince Andrew to withdraw from trying to find financial backing for Sheffield Forgemasters but there was not at any point mention of Jeffrey Epstein, who at that stage I had never heard of.”
Strategic Concerns Over Potential Investors
Government papers show officials believed any potential investor would need approval from both the Ministry of Defence and US authorities, given the strategic nature of the company's work. The note added that officials were aware the firm had previously explored selling up to 40% equity for £40 million, but concluded: “Company not willing to give up control given previous history; new owner would have to be acceptable to MoD and US; no buyer with enough funds to invest in the new press has come forward.”
Company and Former CEO Respond
Sheffield Forgemasters said it had no knowledge of any such offer. A spokesperson stated: “We have found no evidence that the company was aware of an offer, or sources of potential investors, once the public investment was cancelled. The company made a statement in June 2010 stating that it would focus on other projects.” Former chief executive Graham Honeyman added: “We decided to take stock and not get involved in private money because that can sometimes be very expensive. We backed off it really. At that time, I’d never heard of Epstein, I didn’t know who he was. It is only in the last few years I’d heard anything about him. But before that I didn’t know anything about him, he’s certainly not visited the company in any shape or form.”
Former Minister Comments
Former minister Richard Caborn also said he was unaware of any offer of help, adding that private investment was unlikely without state backing. He said: “Once the government pulled the plug on that, they effectively pulled the plug on long-term investment into heavy engineering manufacturing… nobody would have touched it.”
Ongoing Investigation
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is currently under investigation for misconduct in public office and has always denied any wrongdoing. A government spokesperson said: “We are fully cooperating with Thames Valley Police, and last week we published documents about the creation of the role and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment in 2001.” A Thames Valley Police spokesperson added: “We cannot go into specifics of the investigation, but we are considering all pieces of information and will take appropriate action where necessary.”
The Yorkshire Post submitted an FOI request to the Department for Business and Trade in February, seeking information on any involvement by Andrew, David Stern, Jeffrey Epstein, and Peter Mandelson in discussions about Sheffield Forgemasters and its funding. After repeated delays, the Information Commissioner’s Office ruled the department had breached FOI rules for failing to respond on time and ordered it to comply within 30 days. The department then released a response the following day, including a heavily redacted briefing document regarding Andrew’s offer to help identify potential investors.
