Andrew latest as new bombshell claims made about ‘lavish spending’ | Royal | News

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor burdened UK taxpayers with extravagant expenses—including claims for massages—during his tenure as the country’s trade envoy from 2001 to 2011, it has been claimed. Whistleblowers, including retired civil servants from the former UK Trade and Investment department, claim he charged for personal indulgences and excessive travel costs, sparking renewed scrutiny amid his recent arrest.

One ex-civil servant recounted refusing to approve a reimbursement for “massage services” following Andrew’s Middle East visit in the early 2000s, deeming it inappropriate. A whistleblower revealed: “I thought it was wrong… I’d said we mustn’t pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway.” Despite his objections, senior staff overruled him and allowed the claim to proceed. The role, while unpaid, provided Andrew with support from the Civil Service and public funding for international trips aimed at promoting British business.

Andrew’s association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein ultimately led to his resignation as trade envoy in 2011, amid mounting controversy. He has consistently and vehemently denied any wrongdoing related to his ties to Epstein.

These revelations come from anonymous sources who spoke to the BBC, which has verified their proximity to the events through documentary evidence, though no direct proof of the 20-year-old massage claim was seen.

The source said: “I can’t say it would have stopped him, but we should have flagged that something was wrong.”

A second former senior Whitehall official corroborated the accounts, expressing shock at the “lavish spending” he witnessed, including inflated flight costs, unnecessary hotel rooms, and entourage expenses. The official stated: “I couldn’t believe it… it was like it wasn’t real money.”

He criticised the lack of oversight and the scattering of costs across budgets. He attributed this to the deference shown to Andrew by top officials, with trip approvals receiving mere “rubber stamps” rather than rigorous review.

Previous reports have echoed Andrew’s purported affinity for massages. Epstein court documents mention a former employee claiming Andrew received “daily massages” during Florida visits, and emails reference payments for an “Andrew,” though it is unconfirmed that this was the former prince. Biographer Andrew Lownie’s book “Entitled” also alleges Andrew requested a massage via an ambassador abroad.

The trade envoy role involved numerous overseas engagements, such as visits to China in 2004 and Indonesia in 2011. However, another retired UKTI official described Andrew as a “liability,” prone to going off-script, rudeness, and disrupting trade efforts despite months of preparation.

He even devised excuses to prevent Andrew’s visits to sensitive regions, fearing negative impacts.

Lownie, who first heard from the whistleblowers while updating his biography, has decried the opacity surrounding Andrew’s tenure, with Freedom of Information requests denied due to the vast archives—over 1,900 files for one year alone.

In current developments, MPs on the Business and Trade Committee are set to discuss an inquiry into trade envoys’ accountability this week. The government is considering Andrew’s removal from the royal line of succession, following his arrest by Thames Valley Police on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was released under investigation on Friday.

The Department for Business and Trade noted Andrew’s role differed from modern envoys, who follow strict conduct rules. Sources within the Cabinet Office suggest that while the modern system is robust, they are reviewing historical documents from Andrew’s decade-long tenure.

These accusations, while not suggesting illegality, underscore calls for transparency in royal public roles.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been contacted for comment.