Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor Accused of Charging Taxpayers for Massages as Trade Envoy
A retired civil servant has come forward with explosive claims that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, expensed taxpayer-funded massages and excessive travel costs during his time as the UK's trade envoy. The allegations, which span his tenure from 2001 to 2011, add to the mounting scrutiny surrounding the disgraced royal's conduct and financial dealings.
Civil Servant Overruled on Massage Payment
The former staff member, who worked in the UK's trade department in the early 2000s, revealed that he refused to approve payment for a massage requested by Andrew, deeming it inappropriate. However, he was overruled by senior officials, leading to the expense being covered by public funds. "I thought it was wrong… I'd said we mustn't pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway," he told the BBC, expressing frustration at the decision. The Department for Business and Trade has declined to comment on these specific claims, while Andrew has consistently denied any personal gain from his unpaid role, which included taxpayer funding for overseas trips and civil servant support.
Whitehall Official Corroborates Expense Allegations
Adding weight to the accusations, a former senior Whitehall official responsible for overseeing finances stated he witnessed similar questionable expenses for Andrew's trips. He emphasized having "absolutely no doubt" about the validity of the massage claims, suggesting a pattern of financial impropriety. These fresh allegations emerge amid Andrew's recent arrest following an early morning raid at his Wood Farm home in Sandringham, sparking calls for King Charles to disclose his knowledge of his brother's alleged misconduct.
Epstein Links and Business Dealings Under Scrutiny
The controversy deepens with newly released emails from the US Department of Justice, which reveal disturbing connections to Jeffrey Epstein. In 2010, Andrew's close business advisor, German investor David Stern, joked about having sex on Epstein's island, Little Saint James, using derogatory terms for young women in correspondence. That same year, Andrew was allegedly photographed in a compromising position during a visit to Epstein's New York apartment, which he claimed was his final contact with the convicted sex offender.
Proposed Financial Deal with Epstein Associate
Further emails indicate that in 2013, Epstein and Stern discussed a lucrative deal with investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald that would have netted Andrew a £1 million advance and a 40% share of future profits. The plan, which never materialized, involved using Andrew's connections to attract high-net-worth clients, with Stern proposing a 40/40/20 profit split. This occurred nearly three years after Andrew asserted he had severed ties with Epstein, raising questions about the truthfulness of his statements. The draft agreement included a clause requiring Andrew to waive sovereign immunity, potentially exposing him to legal action.
Royal Family Faces Pressure Over Knowledge of Misconduct
As evidence mounts, the Royal Family is under increasing pressure to reveal how much they knew about Andrew's behavior prior to his arrest. The Mail on Sunday reported that King Charles was warned in 2019 about Andrew's secret financial links to controversial financier David Rowland, who allegedly abused royal associations. Emails suggest Andrew allowed Rowland to participate in official duties, threatening to draw Charles further into the crisis. With Stern resigning from his post at the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School amid the scandal, the fallout continues to unfold, leaving the monarchy grappling with reputational damage.
