SIR Keir Starmer will not stand in the way of publishing documents about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy.
The government is not expected to oppose a move by the Liberal Democrats for paperwork about his role to be made public.
Ministers will not stand in the way of publishing documents related to the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a trade envoy back in 2001Credit: PA
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is driven away from Norfolk police station last week following his arrestCredit: Reuters
The move comes after was dramatically arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.
Searches were made on his Sandringham home on his 66th birthday before he was taken to a nearby police station.
But Liberal Democrat leader Sir is using a so-called humble address in the to ensure the release of the documents.
They also want any paperwork to be put in the public domain concerning Lord Mandelson’s connection to the appointment – who is understood to have backed the appointment.
A government official today said: “We are in favour of the principle of transparency.
“We can’t publish material that would jeopardise a police investigation, as you know, so that is the balancing exercise.”
The do not usually face criticism in the House of Commons except in specific circumstances.
was appointed to the trade envoy role in 2001 until 2011. The role meant he had privileged access to business leaders and government figures around the world.
But messages released from the huge three million files related to sex offender reveal he forwarded on documents to the financier.
Reports compiled on visits to Vietnam, Singapore and China were passed on in 2010.
It’s also alleged he sent on information to Epstein on investment opoirtunities in Afghanistan concerning gold and uranium.
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed said he was pushing for the release as “we need to go right to the moment when he was appointed, and then we can answer the questions about how he conducted that role”.
Sir Ed also said he regretted praising the royal while serving as a Minister in the colaition government.
Sir Ed told the BBC: “I’ve learned from that, I’m pretty angry to be honest that I was put in that position, and I think anyone who has had any comment to make on Prince as trade envoy over the years will be pretty angry that the trust that was put in him, the privileged position he had, he absolutely betrayed.”
Mandelson was arrested yesterday and released on bail.
The first tranche of documents relating to his appointment as US ambassador are expected to be published early next month.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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