Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: New Zealand joins Australia in seeking Andrew’s removal from line of succession

The Liberal Democrats will seek to force the public release of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy.

The Lib Dems will table a humble address in the Commons — the same arcane mechanism the Tories used to press for the release of files on Lord Mandelson’s appointment as ambassador — in a bid to compel the government to disclose information about Mountbatten-Windsor, who served as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

The motion will call for the release of papers relating to Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment to the post, including any vetting and any correspondence from Lord Mandelson.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The public is rightly demanding to know how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to represent our nation in a high-level trade role.

“The Liberal Democrats are moving a binding motion to force the government to come clean.”We need to see the vetting files, the due diligence reports, and the correspondence to understand how this appointment came to be, and whether glaring warning signs were missed.”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

.”It is time to end the age of impunity, scrap rules that stifle scrutiny or debate, and ensure that everyone in public office – no matter how powerful – can be held properly to account.

“Mountbatten-Windsor has denied any wrongdoing over his links to the convicted sex offender, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.

Amy-Clare Martin, The Independent’s crime correspondent, reports:

Police in the UK said Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, has been released on bail after he was arrest in an Epstein files misconduct probe.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a statement: “A 72-year-old man arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office has been released on bail pending further investigation.

“He was arrested at an address in Camden on Monday, 23 February and was taken to a London police station for interview.

“This follows search warrants at two addresses in the Wiltshire and Camden areas. We are not able to provide further information at this stage to prevent prejudicing the integrity of the investigation.”

30 January – US Department of Justice releases a tranche of two million Epstein files mentioning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and other high profile figures.

9 February – Republic CEO Graham Smith files report with Thames Valley Police against Mr Mountbatten-Windsor for misconduct in public office following allegations in the tranche.

19 February – Thames Valley Police arrest Mr Mountbatten Windsor on his 66th birthday and open an investigation on suspected misconduct in public office.

He is released after 11 hours of investigation.

20 February – Thames Valley Police say searches in Berkshire, where Royal Lodge is, are ongoing and would likely to be ongoing until Monday.

23 February – Retired civil servants tell the BBC that the then-prince allegedly used public money for massages and excessive travel costs.

One former civil servant told the broadcaster they had initially refused his request to pay for “massage services”, but was overruled by more senior staff.

• Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
• The arrest took place on his 66th birthday, with officers searching his Sandringham Estate home before he was released under investigation.
• Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wrote to Sir Keir Starmer, stating his government would support any proposal to remove Andrew from the line of royal succession.
• Mr Albanese cited “grave allegations” that Australians take seriously, agreeing that the law must take its full course.
• Retired civil servants also alleged that Andrew used taxpayer money for massages and excessive travel costs during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.

Nigel Farage said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor “looks to have done some terrible things” but should not face “trial by media”.

“Mountbatten-Windsor looks to have done some terrible things, but they have not yet been proven,” Mr Farage said.

“I don’t think we should allow trial by media. I don’t think we should convict anybody or pass parliamentary legislation until the police have finished their jobs, and possibly the courts too.

“I do believe in due process, and I do believe that people are innocent until they’re found guilty.”

The Liberal Democrats will seek to force the public release of files relating to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy.

The Lib Dems will table a humble address in the Commons in a bid to compel the Government to disclose information about Andrew, who served as a trade envoy between 2001 and 2011.

The motion will call for the release of papers relating to Andrew’s appointment to the post, including any vetting and any correspondence from Lord Mandelson.

Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The public is rightly demanding to know how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to represent our nation in a high-level trade role.

“The Liberal Democrats are moving a binding motion to force the Government to come clean.

“We need to see the vetting files, the due diligence reports, and the correspondence to understand how this appointment came to be, and whether glaring warning signs were missed.

“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.

“It is time to end the age of impunity, scrap rules that stifle scrutiny or debate, and ensure that everyone in public office – no matter how powerful – can be held properly to account.”