Julia Hartley-Brewer speaks to historian and royal author Andrew Lownie about fresh parliamentary moves to release documents relating to Prince Andrew’s 2001 appointment as UK trade envoy. As MPs table a motion to force publication of government papers, Lownie warns of “a huge, huge scandal” that goes beyond financial and sexual allegations and could amount to a “national security scandal.” He argues Andrew was “helped and abetted by a whole series of people” and calls for ambassadors, former UK Trade & Investment officials and senior figures to be questioned under oath about what they knew and when.
The interview explores claims of a culture of “secrecy and deference” within the establishment, with Lownie suggesting senior figures, including the King, must have been aware of longstanding concerns about Andrew’s conduct. He calls for royal finances to face proper parliamentary scrutiny, unsealing of royal wills and removal of exemptions under the Freedom of Information Act. Questioning whether key documents will ever be released, Lownie predicts the issue could be delayed for years, warning that the establishment may seek to “kick this into the long grass” rather than allow full public accountability.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor denies any wrongdoing.
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