Buckingham Palace staff were ‘handed tens of thousands’ of emails about Andrew’s conduct in his controversial trade envoy role six years ago, according to new claims

View 2 Images

Andrew served as UK trade envoy for a decade between 2001 and 2011(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

Tens of thousands of emails relating to Andrew’s controversial financial dealings were handed to Buckingham Palace six years ago, court documents claim.

The emails, said to have been taken from a former business contact and sent to the Lord Chamberlain in 2020, allegedly contained detailed information regarding the former prince’s activities and financial conduct during his time as a UK trade envoy, reports the BBC. The Mirror has approached Andrew’s representatives and Buckingham Palace for comment.

It comes after a top policing union said victims of Jeffrey Epstein will be treated with “care, compassion and respect”, following claims that some are reluctant to come forward.

View 2 Images

The Mirror has approached Buckingham Palace about the claims(Image: AFP via Getty Images)

“We understand that coming forward can be incredibly difficult, and we want anyone affected to know they can do so in their own time, when they feel ready. Our door remains open.

“Should any victim-survivors choose to contact UK policing, they will be treated with care, compassion and respect, with their wellbeing, privacy and right to anonymity at centre of our response.”

American lawyer Brad Edwards, who represents a number of Epstein victims, told the BBC he has “multiple clients” who could speak about the former prince but have low confidence in UK police and concerns about privacy.

Detectives investigating Andrew are now expected to consider allegations of sexual misconduct in their inquiry into potential misconduct in public office.

The legal definition of the offence can include a wide range of conduct, including sharing confidential financial information, financial misconduct, wilful neglect of duty, and sexual misconduct.

It also covers corruption and improper interference, conflict of interest, perverting the course of justice, dishonesty or fraudulent conduct, misconduct leading to personal gain.

Detectives at Thames Valley Police (TVP) are understood to be concerned that the public believes they are only focused on accusations that the former prince shared information while a trade envoy, when in fact the legal terms of the offence under investigation are much broader.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his links to the convicted sex offender Epstein, who died in 2019.

SOURCE: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/buckingham-palace-given-controversial-envoy-37224892