One of these documents is a Foreign Office memo written by Kathryn Colvin, then head of protocol, in 2000. It specified that Andrew would not do one activity in particular: “The Duke of York should not be offered golfing functions abroad. This was a private activity, and if he took his clubs with him, he would not play in any public sense.”
The same letter said that Andrew preferred to visit “more sophisticated countries”. It said: “I asked what The Duke’s preferences were for activity during his visits. Captain Blair said that The Duke of York was particularly good on high-tech matters, trade, youth (including primary schools and outward bound projects), cultural events, with a preference for ballet rather than theatre, the Commonwealth and military and foreign affairs. He tended to prefer the more sophisticated countries, particularly those in the lead on technology.”
Following the former prince’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey requested that all Government papers relating to his appointment be released.
Papers related to the creation of the role of special representative for trade and investment, advice on Andrew’s suitability for the appointment, as well as due diligence and vetting by Tony Blair’s Government.
Andrew undertook the role in 2001 and it gave him access to senior Government officials and international business contacts. He stepped down in 2011, when he came under fire for his links to sex trafficker and paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The former prince travelled the world in the role to promote Britain’s business interests. While receiving no salary, he faced criticism for spending thousands of pounds each year on expenses and travel.
The Department of Business and Trade led the hunt for related documents. Trade minister Sir Chris Bryant said in March that records spannned “multiple legacy bodies and formats”.
“We have established a process with the Cabinet Office and Thames Valley Police to ensure that any material released does not prejudice the police investigation,” he said at the time.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.express.co.uk ’
