Former Prime Minister Calls for Expanded Police Investigation
Following the recent arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown has taken the significant step of sending comprehensive letters to police forces across England, demanding a thorough investigation into the former royal's conduct during his tenure as a trade envoy. The development comes after Andrew was released from police custody while remaining under active investigation for alleged misconduct in public office.
Detailed Allegations in Five-Page Letters
According to reports from the Daily Express, Brown has dispatched five-page letters to police departments in London, Surrey, Sussex, Thames Valley, Norfolk, and Bedfordshire. These documents reportedly contain what Brown describes as "new and additional" information regarding Andrew's activities between 2001 and 2011, a period that overlaps with Brown's own time as Prime Minister.
The former Labour leader has expressed particular concern about Andrew's alleged chartering of Royal Air Force flights for personal engagements, which Brown has labeled a "wholly unacceptable" use of public funds. Additionally, Brown has raised serious questions about whether Andrew may have forwarded privileged documents from official trade meetings to the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Police Urged to Interview Multiple Government Departments
In his correspondence with law enforcement agencies, Brown has specifically requested that police interview officials from four key government departments: the Ministry of Defence, the Department for Transport, the Foreign Office, and the Treasury. These interviews would focus on Andrew's role and conduct as a trade envoy during the specified decade.
Furthermore, Brown has asked police to investigate whether Epstein was granted access to RAF bases following his 2008 conviction in Florida for soliciting child prostitution. This request adds another layer to the ongoing scrutiny of Andrew's associations and activities during his official government role.
Parliamentary Inquiry Looms as Criticism Mounts
The police investigation coincides with potential parliamentary action, as a committee of MPs is reportedly considering launching an inquiry into Andrew's trade envoy role as early as next week. This development follows critical assessments from senior government figures who have questioned the effectiveness and propriety of Andrew's diplomatic activities.
One senior source told The Guardian that trade envoys are often viewed as "mainly tokenistic" within government circles, while another described Andrew as "a rather unpleasant, arrogant, entitled person who was on the hustle and couldn't tell the difference between the public interest and his private interests."
Background of the Ongoing Investigation
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on his 66th birthday earlier this week and has consistently denied any wrongdoing. The investigation centers on allegations that he may have misused his position as trade envoy, potentially sharing confidential information from official meetings with unauthorized individuals, including Epstein.
Critics have pointed to Andrew's expensive travel habits, including his insistence on the most expensive chalet during a trip to Davos, and the ambiguity surrounding who funded his various international engagements—whether the Foreign Office, business department, or royal household.
As the investigation continues to unfold, both police and parliamentary authorities face increasing pressure to thoroughly examine Andrew's decade-long role as a UK trade representative and the serious allegations that have emerged regarding his conduct during that period.
