David Cameron says Prince Andrew’s role as UK trade envoy will not be reviewed as a royal source tells Channel 4 News the prince’s meeting with businessman Jeffrey Epstein was “very unwise”.
Pressure is mounting on Prince Andrew following further revelations about his 16-year friendship with US financier Jeffrey Epstein who was jailed for 13 months for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution. It is after pictures emerged of the prince meeting Epstein in New York in December last year.
A royal source told Channel 4 News that the meeting was “very unwise” but that all ties with Epstein have now been severed. Asked if the duke should have cut links with Epstein earlier, the source claimed it was the first meeting in four years.
The prime minister’s spokesman said Prince Andrew has his full support: “We are not reviewing his role in any way. The government’s position is very clear: that we support him in his role as trade envoy,” he said
“He has made a very important contribution to UK trade through the role and continues to do so. We think he makes a valuable contribution and so does British business” he continued.
He is not a government appointee, he is not somebody who is appointed and sacked. Vince Cable, Business Secretary
The comments came after lukewarm support from Business Secretary Vince Cable, whose department funds the prince’s work at the UK Trade and Investment agency. He suggested the government doesn’t have the power to fire the duke, and that the prince would have to judge his own position, although there would be “conversations” about his future role.
“I think we need to remember he is doing this as a volunteer, he is not a government appointee, he is not somebody who is appointed and sacked,” Mr Cable said.
“I think it is down to him to judge the position he wants to be in. Obviously there are conversations which will take place with him about what he’s to do in future.”
A spokesman for the UKTI said there is no suggestion at the moment that Prince Andrew’s role is being downgraded. The duke will continue his role as normal, and is to lead a trade mission to Saudi Arabia in the coming weeks, after the UKTI identified it as of the most attractive potential markets for British companies.
The UKTI has underlined its full suppport for Prince Andrew by sending Channel 4 News and other media a list of endorsements for the royal from top companies, including Shell, Lloyds, and Rolls-Royce. His “experience”, “commitment” and “global reach” are praised and he is said to “add a new dimension to the UK business offer”. However it appears some of these endorsements are up to three years old and had been taken from the duke’s website.
A spokeswoman said: “The endorsements on the website are put up by the Palace at the time when the Duke of York made the contribution on behalf of that company – so some are older than others.
“UKTI circulated the list that appears on the website in response to a request from journalists at Lobby this morning.”
The support may not be enough if the prince becomes embroiled in an FBI investigation which the Daily Mail has reported is to be reopened in the case against Epstein. Last week a picture was released of the prince – who is fourth in line to the throne – with his arm around Roberts, then aged 17. She alleges she was sexually exploited by Epstein and his friends but has not made any claims against the prince who categorically denies any wrongdoing or impropriety.
I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf.
Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York
Meanwhile, in an interview with the Daily Telegraph the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson has said that her ex-husband the Duke of York arranged for Epstein to pay £15,000 she owed to her former personal assistant, Johnny O’Sullivan.
She said: “I personally, on behalf of myself, deeply regret that Jeffrey Epstein became involved in any way with me. I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf.”
A national embarrassment. Chris Bryant MP
Labour MP for Ilford Mike Gapes, a member and former chairman of the House of Commons foreign affairs committee, said the prince should be replaced in the role for someone accountable to parliament.
“We need to recognise the revolutions taking place in the Arab world and other changes. It’s now time that we actually were able to have somebody who is accountable. Because of his royal position, we in parliament are not able to hold him to account. If he was a volunteer receiving an office with financial support, we could question ministers about his role and he himself could be called before select committees of the house he said.
Former Minister for Europe Chris Bryant called Prince Andrew “a national embarrassment.”
My worry is that, sometimes when he goes on these trips, I am not sure whether he is helping us out or he is just helping himself.”
He added: “The truth is we shouldn’t be using him for these delegations any more.”
The Duke of York’s trade role, which he’s been in since 2001, has now come under intense scrutiny. On Sunday it emerged that the prince had entertained Sakher el-Materi, the son-in-law of Tunisian dictator Zine-al-Abidine, just weeks before the countrys revolution.
He’s also believed to have met Colonel Gaddafi’s son Saif Gaddafi at least three times in the last four years.