MPs considering investigation into Andrew's role as UK trade envoy

"An influential committee of MPs could launch an inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's role as a UK trade envoy despite his arrest, it is understood, as it emerged that the disgraced former royal pestered ministers about getting a bigger government role. After his arrest on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the cross-party business and trade committee said it would meet next Tuesday to discuss a possible investigation into the role he held from 2001 to 2011."

"The decade-long spell as what was formally titled the UK's special representative for international trade and investment ended after a series of controversies, including his links to figures from repressive regimes and a personal style seen as brusque, as well as his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. According to one senior figure who dealt with Mountbatten-Windsor during his role with UK Trade and Investment (UKTI), responsibility for which crossed between the Foreign Office and the business department, he personally asked ministers for a more significant job on multiple occasions."

"'What I saw was a rather unpleasant, arrogant, entitled person who was on the hustle' Senior figure He approached ministers personally, saying Can you find a bigger role for me?', they said. Trade envoys are not considered a very important part of the state, they are mainly tokenistic. Andrew seemed to feel he had no real role in life, but had something to offer in terms of contacts around the world, particularly royalty."

A cross-party business and trade committee may investigate Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s decade as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment, covering 2001–2011, following his arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office. His tenure ended amid controversies including links to figures from repressive regimes, a brusque personal style, and friendship with Jeffrey Epstein. Senior government figures recall him repeatedly asking ministers for a bigger role and describe him as entitled and problematic. Trade envoys were viewed as largely tokenistic; his royal status sometimes opened doors but was often considered a liability.

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