MP suggests Epstein helped Andrew get trade envoy job

Jeffrey Epstein may have played a role in Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor becoming a UK trade envoy, a shadow minister has suggested, as the government agreed to release the bombshell documents related to his appointment.

- MILLIE COOKE POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

On an unprecedented day in parliament that saw MPs from all sides line up to admonish the former prince, Conservative minister Alex Burghart said it was “possible to identify the hand of Epstein” in Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment to the role back in 2001.

MPs unanimously supported a motion calling for the release of files relating to the appointment, waving it through without a vote after the government backed the Liberal Democrat-led calls to publish the papers, including any vetting and any correspondence from Peter Mandelson. However, MPs were told that ministers are unable to publish material that police need for their inquiries until officers are “satisfied”.

The Lib Dems used a humble address, the same arcane mechanism the Tories used to press for the release of files relating to Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador to the US, to pressure the government. It came as party leader Sir Ed Davey described the latest revelations about the former prince and Lord Mandelson as “the first truly global scandal” that reaches “right to the top of the British establishment”.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor faces accusations that he shared sensitive information with Epstein while acting as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011. He was taken into custody last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, before being released under investigation.

This came only days before Lord Mandelson was also arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following similar allegations of having passed sensitive information to Epstein during his time as business secretary. The former Labour minister was released on bail in the early hours of yesterday morning.