Andrew Mountbatten, formerly known as Prince Andrew, has been in the middle of a controversy since the recent release of more Epstein files. This week, he and Lord Peter Mandelson were picked up by UK police and interrogated before being released.
On Tuesday, the Liberal Democrats raised a motion in the UK House of Commons, demanding that documents disclosing Andrew’s unbecoming behavior be released. They want to interrogate his behavior from 2001, when he was appointed the UK’s Minister of Trade and Investment.
Attitudes towards the Royals have significantly changed
Historically, members of the royal family are not discussed like ordinary citizens. Hence, the way the character of Andrew Mountbatten is being discussed in the House is a radical deviation from the norm.
While acknowledging this, Members of Parliament noted that the former Duke of York has disgraced not only the royal family but the UK as a whole.
Epstein wanted Andrew to introduce him to Libyan President Muammar Gaddafi
Emails among the released documents revealed that the late American sex trafficker, Jeffrey Epstein, wanted Mr. Mountbatten, then Prince Andrew, to introduce him to Muammar Gaddafi, the Libyan dictator. The House of Commons heard this information, as disclosed by Channel 4, a UK public broadcaster.
In the early 2000s, Gaddafi had begun to open up to Western countries and even tried to help with intelligence against the terrorist group, Al Qaeda. Hence, Epstein saw an opportunity he could exploit.
King Charles had reservations about Andrew’s appointment as trade minister
In 2001, when it was suggested that the Duke of York be appointed Trade Minister, his brother, King Charles, then Prince of Wales, expressed his reservations.
In contrast, Peter Mandelson, who is now also disgraced for his association with Epstein, tried to lobby for Andrew’s appointment. He was then a member of the House of Commons representing Hartlepool under the Labour Party.
When discussing the importance of the said motion, members indicated that Andrew and Mandelson could have played a role in helping Epstein enrich himself. They demanded that the relevant documents be released as quickly as possible, to help the members scrutinize and debate them.
Andrew’s character is not appealing
As House members discussed Andrew’s behaviour, with the Speaker’s consent, they heard how arrogant and rude he can be. They also heard that he has a sense of entitlement and is unable to distinguish between his roles as a private citizen and a public servant.
His character was contrasted with that of his humble mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who, it was said, would ride in a car to a function and arrive early. Meanwhile, his son, Andrew, would fly in a helicopter and still arrive late with no apologies.