The previous prince held the function of the UK’s Particular Consultant for Worldwide Commerce and Funding from 2001 to 2011.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Picture: Getty)
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor charged taxpayers for “therapeutic massage companies” and could possibly be “impolite” and “typically offensive” throughout abroad visits as a UK commerce envoy, retired civil servants have claimed. Andrew held the function of the UK’s Particular Consultant for Worldwide Commerce and Funding from 2001 to 2011.
It was unpaid, although Andrew was supported by taxpayer funding and civil servants for his journeys overseas. Two ex-civil servants have now spoken out about their considerations over Andrew’s behaviour and spending throughout this era. One, who labored within the UK’s commerce division within the early 2000s, alleged Andrew requested that the price of “therapeutic massage companies” be lined, following a visit to the Center East. The civil servant refused to pay however senior workers overruled him, he claimed.
Andrew Morton speaks on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor disaster
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A former senior Whitehall official, who additionally requested to stay nameless, reportedly oversaw funds on this space and claimed he had seen related bills for the royal’s journeys.
The BBC famous it has not seen proof to substantiate the declare about Andrew making the expense declare, which is alleged to have occurred greater than twenty years in the past. There’s nothing illegal instructed of their claims in regards to the former prince’s conduct.
Each whistleblowers initially contacted Andrew’s long-time critic and unofficial biographer, Andrew Lownie, with one saying he got here ahead after listening to the writer declare that considerations hadn’t been raised inside authorities. He says they’d been, however have been ignored.
They then agreed to talk to the BBC. The ex-Whitehall official mentioned he was shocked by what he considered the then-prince’s lavish spending throughout his time within the function. He claimed there was an extreme variety of flights, in addition to unreasonable numbers of resort rooms and fees for the royal’s entourage.
One of many sources alleged that whereas Andrew could possibly be entertaining and “good firm” on journeys, he had seen him “shouting, being impolite and usually offensive” on different events.
Specific.co.uk has reached out to Andrew’s representatives for remark.
The claims come amid the fallout from the US Division of Justice’s launch of tens of millions of information associated to investigations into the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, with emails showing to point out a detailed friendship between Andrew and the disgraced financier.
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Public outrage over Andrew’s hyperlinks to Epstein noticed him stripped of his royal title late final 12 months. The previous Duke of York now faces accusations of sharing delicate info with Epstein whereas appearing because the UK’s commerce envoy.
He was taken into custody on suspicion of misconduct in public workplace final week, earlier than being launched below investigation.
Andrew has at all times rejected any wrongdoing relating to his affiliation with Epstein and has additionally denied any private acquire throughout his time as envoy.
The Division for Enterprise and Commerce was approached by Specific.co.uk for remark, and pointed to remarks made within the Home of Commons immediately by the commerce minister Chris Bryant.
Mr Bryant mentioned ministers will “be sure that each single a part of Authorities co-operates solely with Thames Valley police and with every other police forces, in respect of no matter they could be investigating”.
He informed MPs that there’s “unanimous settlement throughout this Home that those that could also be responsible of misconduct in public workplace ought to face the complete power of the regulation”.
“That applies to everybody, no matter who they’re or how they have been appointed. This was a degree made by my proper hon. and discovered Pal the Prime Minister previous to the information of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.
“One of many core ideas of our constitutional system is the rule of regulation. That signifies that everyone seems to be equal below the regulation and no one is above the regulation.”
Mr Bryant mentioned Andrew’s function was “not a commerce envoy place as we’d perceive it immediately, his function was a separate one entitled UK Particular Consultant for Worldwide Commerce and Funding”.
“Commerce envoys immediately are appointed by ministers with a formalised algorithm of conduct, they’re unpaid, they work with my division on attracting and retaining inward funding whereas supporting UK companies to take full benefit of latest commerce alternatives.”
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