The Cabinet Office is facing serious allegations of orchestrating a cover-up for the Royal Family after it emerged that official documents referencing Prince Andrew were withheld from the public at the National Archives.
Documents Pulled After 'Administrative Error'
Under the standard 20-year rule, a batch of government papers from 2004 and 2005 was recently transferred to the National Archives in Kew, west London. This release included a Downing Street file concerning royal visits. Journalists working under an embargo were initially given access to the full file, which contained minutes from a meeting discussing the travel arrangements of various royals, including the Duke of York, as he was then known.
However, these specific minutes were subsequently redacted before the file was made available for public viewing. A Cabinet Office spokesman attributed this to an "administrative error," stating the documents were never intended for release. They emphasised that all records are managed in line with the Public Records Act and subject to an extensive review process.
Republic Campaigner Slams 'Royal Exemption'
The move has sparked sharp criticism from anti-monarchy groups. Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said there was no justification for withholding the documents, particularly since Andrew has been stripped of his royal patronages and military titles following the scandal over his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
"There should be no royal exemption at all. But this exemption surely doesn’t apply to Andrew now he’s no longer a royal," Mr Smith stated. He suggested the most likely reason for the suppression was pressure from Buckingham Palace, aimed at protecting the institution rather than Andrew himself. "The royals are one of the most secretive institutions in the UK. These documents should be released without fear or favour," he added.
What the Redacted Minutes Revealed
Before their removal, journalists from outlets including the Press Association viewed the minutes. They detailed discussions between senior palace and Foreign Office officials about Andrew's travel plans in his former role as a UK trade envoy. The talks covered potential visits to China, Russia, south-east Asia, and Spain – travels that previously earned him the nickname 'Air Miles Andy'.
The records also showed officials questioning whether the Football Association would fund his trip to the Euro 2004 tournament in Portugal as a royal representative. Notably, it was recorded that a rule change meant his future trade envoy trips would be funded by the Royal Travel Office instead of UK Trade and Industry, requiring an additional £90,000.
In a separate detail, the minutes indicated that a proposed official visit to China by Prince William, now the Prince of Wales, was rejected on the grounds that he should not undertake such duties until he was at least 25.
This incident highlights the ongoing sensitivity surrounding Prince Andrew and underscores how files related to the monarchy are routinely withheld from public scrutiny under the Public Records Act. Prince Andrew has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to the Epstein case.
