UK Faces Pressure to Release Vetting Documents on Ex-Prince Andrew Amid Epstein Scandal

The UK government is under growing pressure to release documents regarding former Prince Andrew’s tenure as a trade envoy, following the ongoing fallout from the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. The call comes just hours after veteran politician Peter Mandelson was questioned by police in a separate investigation linked to the late financier.
US authorities last month released millions of documents related to Epstein, revealing information that has sent shockwaves through both British politics and the royal family. These revelations have intensified calls for the UK government to make public its own vetting records and have prompted two high-profile police inquiries.
The Liberal Democrats announced plans to table a motion in Parliament on Tuesday, seeking the release of vetting documents related to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy, a position he held from 2001 to 2011. The former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office.
“No one, regardless of their title or connections, should be beyond the scrutiny of Parliament,” party officials stated.
The government has indicated it will release an initial set of documents in March concerning the appointment of former minister Peter Mandelson as UK ambassador to Washington. Mandelson, a longstanding figure in British politics, was arrested on Monday in a separate probe into misconduct in public office connected to Epstein.
The controversies surrounding both Mandelson and Mountbatten-Windsor are likely to increase political pressures. Mandelson’s ambassadorial appointment previously led to the resignation of two top aides to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, highlighting the sensitivities around these high-profile roles.
Mountbatten-Windsor, the younger brother of King Charles III and stripped of his royal titles last year, is being investigated over allegations that he shared sensitive government documents with Epstein during his time as a trade envoy. The former prince has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Members of Parliament are demanding the release of vetting records from Andrew’s appointment under then-Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair. Mandelson, who played a central role in Blair’s rise to power, reportedly supported Andrew’s selection for the envoy role. Biographer Andrew Lownie told AFP that Blair and Mandelson “pushed his appointment through.”
The parliamentary motion, known as a “humble address,” was recently used successfully to compel Starmer to release documents concerning Mandelson’s 2024 appointment as ambassador. Mandelson stepped down from the Washington post after seven months amid revelations about his ties to Epstein.
Government minister Bridget Phillipson told Sky News the administration would proceed with publishing the first tranche of Mandelson-related documents in early March, while being careful not to compromise ongoing police investigations.
Starmer has publicly apologised to Epstein’s victims over Mandelson’s appointment, stating that the former envoy misrepresented the extent of his relationship with Epstein during vetting. Mandelson, released on bail earlier Tuesday, has previously apologised for his association with Epstein, insisting he was unaware of Epstein’s sexual offences prior to the financier’s 2008 conviction for child prostitution.