Lib Dems in bid to release files on Andrew trade role

The Liberal Democrats will push for documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's appointment as a UK trade envoy to be released, following his arrest last week.

On Tuesday, the party will table a motion to force the government to release files on his appointment to the role in 2001, including those relating to vetting.

It comes after the former prince was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Police had previously said they were considering investigating him over allegations relating to his association with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and were reviewing allegations he shared confidential material.

Andrew held the role of "special representative for international trade and investment" between 2001 and 2011, giving him privileged access to senior government and business contacts around the world.

Emails released in the US from the latest tranche of files related to Epstein include claims that he forwarded government reports from visits to Vietnam, Singapore and China to Epstein in 2010.

Andrew has not responded to the BBC's requests for comment on specific allegations that have emerged after the US release of files in January related to the late financier. He has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein.

The Lib Dems plan to use scheduled debating time allocated to the party on Tuesday to force a Commons vote on a so-called humble address that would compel ministers to release information on Andrew's appointment.

The BBC has yet to see the text of the Lib Dem motion, which is expected to be debated on Tuesday afternoon.

The party also wants to see any correspondence from Lord Mandelson relating to the appointment, following reports that the former minister pushed for him to be appointed when concerns were raised over his suitability at the time.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said "the public is rightly demanding to know" how Andrew was appointed to the role.

"There's also a much broader principle at stake here. No one, regardless of their title or their friends, should be beyond the scrutiny of Parliament," he added.

Tuesday's debate comes as MPs on the business and trade committee are expected to meet this week to decide whether to launch a parliamentary investigation into the appointment of UK trade envoys.

It is understood that any inquiry would start with a focus on possible governance issues within the wider system.

Meanwhile on Monday, ministers said a first batch of documents related to Lord Mandelson's appointment as US ambassador would be released in "early March".

The government will not have to publish material that it considers could damage the UK's national security or diplomatic relations with other countries, which it will instead pass to a committee of MPs and peers to review.

Lord Mandelson has not publicly commented in recent weeks on the Epstein files, but the BBC understands his position is he has not acted in any way criminally and that he was not motivated by financial gain.