MPs are set to meet on Tuesday to discuss a potential investigation into Prince Andrew's tenure as the UK's special representative for international trade and investment, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The cross-party business and trade committee will consider launching an inquiry into the role he held from 2001 to 2011.
During his decade-long stint, the former royal reportedly pestered ministers for a more significant government position. One senior figure who dealt with him said: "He approached ministers personally, saying 'Can you find a bigger role for me?'" The source described trade envoys as "mainly tokenistic" and noted that Andrew seemed to feel he had "no real role in life."
Others within government at the time characterised Andrew as a liability due to his personality and conduct. One senior figure recalled: "The classic thing would be for him to turn up – and being a royal would get access in some countries – do a lunch meeting but then disappear for six hours and come back with two new Rolexes." They described him as "a rather unpleasant, arrogant, entitled person who was on the hustle and couldn’t tell the difference between the public interest and his private interests."
Concerns were also raised about the lack of coordination with government. Weeks before a high-level visit to Beijing in late 2010, Andrew had already travelled to China on his own mission without informing officials. One government figure said: "Before they went they found out Andrew had already been there and they hadn’t been told."
The business committee may examine whether more could have been done to challenge Andrew's alleged behaviour while he was in post, and whether there were worries that his actions could cross into illegality. However, both sources who dealt with him said this appeared unlikely, as few in government took his job seriously. One noted: "There was a general sense that Andrew was seen as a bit of a liability, a freeloader, who didn’t do much that useful, but that UKTI put up with it because it was something which would please the royals."
Among those who reportedly pushed for Andrew to receive the envoy job was Peter Mandelson, the former business secretary who is separately under police investigation over allegations he leaked market-sensitive information to Jeffrey Epstein. Downing Street is currently reviewing documents related to Mandelson's appointment as ambassador to Washington in 2024, a role which ended after details emerged about his links to Epstein.
