Chris Bryant signals release of Andrew trade envoy files as chris bryant backs Lib Dem motion

Trade minister chris bryant told MPs the government will comply with a Liberal Democrat motion to publish papers on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy, and the Commons passed the motion without a division. The move matters because the documents cover a 2001 appointment that gave Andrew privileged access to senior government and business contacts worldwide and intersect with an ongoing police investigation.

Chris Bryant says files will be published, with limits while police probe continues

Chris Bryant told the Commons the government would release the requested files "as soon as practicable and possible within law, " but that publication could be constrained by the ongoing police investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. MPs passed the Liberal Democrat motion without a vote after a debate that lasted almost three hours in a relatively empty chamber. Bryant also praised the work of present trade envoys, saying they are "all accountable through the minister of trade and through the department. "

Humble address sets out precise scope of documents sought

The Liberal Democrat humble address asks for all papers relating to the creation of the role of special representative for trade and investment and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment, specifically including documents held by UK Trade and Investment, British Trade International (BTI) and its successors, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Cabinet Office and the prime minister’s office. The motion seeks advice from, or provided to, the group chief executive of BTI, Peter Mandelson, the Cabinet Office and the prime minister regarding Andrew’s suitability, plus due diligence and vetting, and minutes of meetings and electronic communications relating to that vetting. The Lib Dems are also pushing for the release of any documents in which Peter Mandelson expressed a view on Andrew's appointment.

Allegations, arrest and potential limits on disclosure

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces allegations that he shared sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while serving as a trade envoy. He was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was released under investigation; one account places his release under further investigation 11 hours after questioning. Officials have said prosecutors may advise holding back any documents that relate to the offence of misconduct in public office. Andrew has repeatedly denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein and has not responded to requests for comment on the specific allegations that emerged after the release of so-called Epstein files by the US in January.

Parliamentary responses: criticism, calls on succession and committee action

Critics in the Commons were blunt. Sir Ed Davey said Mountbatten-Windsor "shamed our country" and urged abandoning conventions that limit debate about the royal family. Conservative shadow minister Alex Burghart criticised ministers for being forced by opposition parties to release the files rather than publishing them proactively. Trade minister Chris Bryant described a pattern of behaviour, calling Andrew "a man on a constant self-aggrandising and 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. " The government is "working at pace" to bring forward legislation on calls to remove Andrew from the royal line of succession, though Bryant would not commit to a specific date. Parliament's Business and Trade Committee will begin gathering information about the role of trade envoys following Andrew's arrest but is not launching a formal inquiry; Liam Byrne, who chairs the committee, said: "Given the gravity of the allegations, the committee is of the view that it is essential that parliament, that makes the law, does nothing to undermine the implementation of the law. Nothing must now compromise the full and unimpeded process of British justice, and the possibility of a fair trial, if and when charges are brought. "

Debate touched broader trade and farming issues raised in the Commons

The parliamentary discussion also referenced wider trade and agricultural policy. Environment secretary Emma Reynolds, speaking at an NFU conference in Birmingham, promised to boost British farming with more EU trade and said trade with the EU has diminished by 20% since Brexit. She said a new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement coming later this year will "reduce trade frictions" and "make trade faster, easier and cheaper – frictionless trade, efficient orders, open supply chains, " with details to be set out soon. The government also announced caps on environmental land payments: no farm will be allowed to claim more than £100, 000 a year under the new plans. Jake Fiennes, head of conservation at the Holkham Estate and an early participant in pilot schemes for the environmental land payments, warned that the policy could undo long-term environmental work, saying larger farms and estates could be disincentivised from continuing projects and that many major schemes due to end in December could see a reduction in environmental output.

The coverage was edited by Alex Smith and Emily McGarvey, with Brian Wheeler reporting from the House of Commons.