Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, in light of his former role as the UK’s special envoy for international trade and investment. He denies any wrongdoing. But what is that role?
What was the job of trade ambassador held by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor?
The Duke of York was named the UK’s Special Envoy for International Trade and Investment in October 2001. The role is described by UK Trade & Investment as “an extensive program of targeted engagements in the UK and abroad to promote the interests of UK industry and the UK as a whole”.
In essence, this role includes high-level lobbying, as well as handling sensitive “confidential briefings” regarding investment opportunities. This requires close coordination with the UK’s trade and diplomatic activities abroad.
Who appointed him?
After retiring from the navy in July 2001, he took up the role during Tony Blair’s government. In 2011, Number 10, under the then Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition, said the appointment was made with the agreement of the then Foreign Secretary. [Jack Straw] and Secretary of Commerce and Industry [Patricia Hewitt]”.
So did he support Labour?
Not just Labor, no. When there were calls for Mountbatten-Windsor to step down from the role in 2011, endorsements still came from Conservative ministers. George Osborne, the chancellor at the time, said: “We have confidence in him to do the job and we think he has done a good job in recent years. He has promoted British exports. We want everyone to promote British exports and Prince Andrew has done that.”
Later, former trade minister Digby Jones noted that Mountbatten-Windsor “put the country first”.
“It’s important for us as a business to say, let’s actually use what he can do to create some profit, employ some people, pay some tax,” Peer added.
Was Mountbatten-Windsor a controversial choice when first appointed?
He is there. Even at the beginning of the new millennium, there were strong opinions by supporters and opponents of the man who gained fame for playing the “Playboy Prince”.
In his book, author Andrew Lowney describes how former trade secretary Peter Mandelson helped Mountbatten-Windsor take on the role of UK’s special envoy for international trade and investment – something his brother, then Prince Charles, tried to avoid.
“Prince Charles is also said to be trying to prevent Andrew’s new role as a ‘disaster waiting to happen,’ as his brother can’t be trusted not to humiliate himself,” Loney wrote. “The Prince of Wales is very concerned about Andrew’s playboy image,” said a palace source: ‘He feels he cannot resist the temptation to mix business with pleasure. This is a high-profile appointment that demands tact and discretion.'”
Why did he meet anyone in that role?
The post includes meetings with UK and international business figures as well as foreign leaders, where he essentially facilitates contacts. These are mundane and may be useful according to those involved, but dealing with corrupt states, including Kazakhstan, has made for an embarrassing campaign. This was especially true when it emerged in 2007 that Timur Kulibayev, the son-in-law of the Kazakh president, had bought Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home in Sunninghill Park for £3m above the asking price.
However, Kazakh ties continued. In 2010 Mountbatten-Windsor met the UK’s BG Group on three occasions in five weeks between 25 March and 28 April, including a rendezvous in Kazakhstan.
In March 2011, his links to Saif Gaddafi, the son of then Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Gaddafi, led to calls for his removal from the role.
Did Mountbatten-Windsor pay for the job?
No. There is no salary for the post. However, expenses and travel expenses are paid, with one MP suggesting in 2011 that “it has cost the taxpayer around £4 million over the past 10 years, including costs for defense officers”.
Does the job description sound like it would benefit the UK?
It could and the UK still employs a wide range of people as trade envoys. There are a range of parliamentarians who fill region-specific roles. Although these posts are far less high-profile, former cricketer Ian Botham has been appointed UK trade ambassador to Australia in 2021.
