UK lawmakers approve release of confidential documents on former Prince Andrew

By DANICA KIRKA

LONDON (AP) — The British government will release confidential papers related to the former Prince Andrew’s appointment as trade envoy after a scathing parliamentary debate in which lawmakers called for greater accountability from the royal family and said the king’s brother had put his friendship with Jeffrey Epstein ahead of his duty to the country.

Lawmakers approved a motion Tuesday demanding publication of the documents, after the one-time prince and Duke of York, now known simply as Andrew Windsor-Mountbatten, was arrested on charges related to allegations that he shared government reports with Epstein while he was trade envoy. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government backed the motion, assuring its passage.

“Frankly, it is the least we owe the victims of the horrific abuse that was perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein and others, the abuse that was enabled, aided and abetted by a very extensive group of arrogant, entitled and often wealthy individuals in this country and elsewhere,” Trade Minister Chris Bryant said for the government.

And unflattering description of the ex-prince

He described Mountbatten-Windsor as being engaged in a constant “self-enriching hustle” — a “rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest.”

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