What was Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's trade envoy role?

"The role was described by UK Trade & Investment as an extensive programme of targeted engagements both in the UK and overseas to promote the interest of UK industry and the UK as a whole. In essence, the role involved high-level lobbying, as well as the handling of sensitive confidential briefs regarding investment opportunities. It required close coordination with the UK's trade and diplomatic missions abroad."

"When Mountbatten-Windsor was facing calls to step down from the role in 2011, endorsements still arrived from Conservative ministers. George Osborne, the then chancellor, said: We have confidence in him doing the job and we think he's done a good job in recent years. He's promoted British exports. What we want is everyone promoting British exports at the minute and Prince Andrew has done that."

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and denies any wrongdoing. He became the UK's special representative for international trade and investment in October 2001 after retiring from the navy in July 2001. The role entailed an extensive programme of targeted engagements in the UK and overseas to promote UK industry and the country as a whole. Duties included high-level lobbying and handling sensitive confidential briefs on investment opportunities, requiring close coordination with trade and diplomatic missions. The appointment had cross-party agreement and drew endorsements from ministers including George Osborne and Digby Jones. He had a public reputation for acting as a playboy prince.

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