LONDON – The UK government is facing increasing pressure to release documents related to Prince Andrew’s past role as a trade envoy, coinciding with the arrest of a veteran politician in a widening investigation linked to Jeffrey Epstein. The developments come after US authorities released millions of files pertaining to the late convicted sex offender in January, triggering repercussions within British political and royal circles.
The calls for transparency center on the vetting process surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. The Liberal Democrats have announced plans to introduce a motion in Parliament on February 24th, demanding the release of documents detailing the scrutiny applied to his appointment. This move follows the former prince’s arrest last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“The public is rightly demanding to know how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to represent our nation in a high-level trade role,” said Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey. “No one, regardless of their title or their friends, should be beyond the scrutiny of Parliament.”
Separately, the government is preparing to publish a first set of documents concerning the appointment of Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington in March. However, this release is now complicated by Mandelson’s recent arrest on February 23rd, also on suspicion of misconduct in public office, stemming from his connections to Epstein.
Mandelson, a prominent figure in British politics for decades and the UK’s envoy to Washington until September 2025, was detained by police as part of the ongoing investigation. His arrest has already sparked a political storm, leading to the resignation of two of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s top aides.
The potential release of documents pertaining to both Mountbatten-Windsor and Mandelson could present further challenges for the government and the Labour party, which oversaw both appointments. Mountbatten-Windsor, who was stripped of his royal titles in 2025, is being investigated following allegations that he shared sensitive documents with Epstein during his tenure as trade envoy.
The former prince has consistently denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, despite his long-standing association with the convicted sex offender. MPs are seeking the release of vetting documents from his appointment under the then-Labour prime minister Tony Blair. According to Andrew Lownie, Mountbatten-Windsor’s biographer, both Blair and Mandelson “pushed his appointment through.”
The motion being brought before Parliament – known as a “humble address” – mirrors a successful effort in February to compel Starmer to release documents related to Mandelson’s 2024 appointment as ambassador to Washington. Mandelson was removed from the ambassadorial role after just seven months due to revelations about the extent of his ties to Epstein.
Government minister Bridget Phillipson stated on February 24th that the government would “push ahead” with publishing the initial Mandelson documents in “early March,” despite his recent arrest. However, she also cautioned that the ongoing police investigation would necessitate careful consideration of the information released. “We do just need to be mindful of any documents we publish given the nature of the ongoing police investigation,” Phillipson said.
Prime Minister Starmer has apologized to Epstein’s victims for appointing Mandelson and has accused the former envoy of dishonesty regarding the depth of his relationship with Epstein during the vetting process for his Washington posting. Mandelson, who was released on bail early on February 24th, has previously expressed regret for his friendship with Epstein but maintained that he was unaware of the financier’s sexual offenses, despite Epstein’s 2008 conviction for child prostitution.
