Chris Bryant said the documents will be published once police investigating Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor are satisfied.
LONDON — The U.K. government will publish documents on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy, amid mounting scrutiny of the former royal’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.
The opposition Liberal Democrats put forward a motion in the U.K. parliament Tuesday requiring ministers to release files on the former prince’s appointment to the role in 2001, including those related to his vetting.
Trade Minister Chris Bryant said the U.K. government will support the motion, but will not publish anything that might prejudice the ongoing investigation into the former prince.
“We support this motion today. Frankly it is the least we owe the victims of the horrific abuse that was perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and others,” Bryant told MPs.
“We will put everything into the public domain when we can. I don’t want to do so at a time which would make it impossible for the police to secure the proper processes,” he caveated.
Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was released under investigation on the same day.
The former prince has faced multiple allegations over his links to the late convicted sex offender Epstein, including claims that he passed confidential documents to Epstein while he was serving as a British trade envoy between 2001 and 2011. He has strenuously and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. He was stripped of his titles last year.
The former U.K. royal — brother of King Charles III — held the role of special representative for international trade and investment between 2001 and 2011 after being appointed by the Labour government at the time.
Deference shattered
In a Commons session that shattered traditional deference to members of the royal family, Bryant described Mountbatten-Windsor as “a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest which he said he served, and his own private interest.”
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said Mountbatten-Windsor has “shamed our country and the royal family.”
The Liberal Democrat motion requests “all papers” relating to the creation of the role and Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment to the role. It also requests documents relating to advice provided to the then-Prime Minister Tony Blair “regarding the suitability of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor for the appointment, due diligence and vetting conducted in relation to the appointment, and minutes of meetings and electronic communications regarding the due diligence and vetting.”
It also asks for correspondence from Peter Mandelson, a former trade secretary, relating to the appointment to be released. The Telegraph newspaper last week reported Mandelson pushed for Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment to the trade envoy role.
Mandelson was arrested Monday on suspicion of misconduct in public office and subsequently released on bail pending further investigation. He has not commented on the police investigation, but has previously said he was wrong to have continued his association with Epstein, and apologized “unequivocally” to Epstein’s victims.
U.K. officials are already preparing to release a tranche of documents related to Mandelson’s appointment as British ambassador to the U.S.
Sam Blewett contributed to this report.
This developing story is being updated.