Chris Bryant backs release of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor trade files as MPs press for documents

Trade minister chris bryant told the House of Commons the government will comply with a Liberal Democrat motion demanding the release of files connected to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s 2001 trade envoy appointment, but he warned disclosure could be limited by an ongoing police inquiry. The move follows allegations about Andrew’s conduct while in the trade role and a wider parliamentary debate that threaded in concerns about Peter Mandelson and a separate social media attack on Natalie Fleet.

Chris Bryant's rebuke in the Commons

In the Commons, Chris Bryant described Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a "rude, arrogant and entitled man" and told MPs the government would act "as soon as practicable and possible within law" to release the requested documents. Bryant also praised the work of current trade envoys, saying they are accountable through the minister and the department, and cautioned that the ongoing Metropolitan Police Service investigation into Andrew could constrain what can be published.

Motion on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's 2001 trade envoy files

MPs passed a Liberal Democrat motion calling for the release of files relating to Andrew’s 2001 appointment as a trade envoy. The Commons debate lasted almost three hours in a relatively empty chamber, and the motion was carried without a division taking place. The Liberal Democrats are also pressing for any documents in which Peter Mandelson expressed a view on Andrew’s appointment to be disclosed.

Allegations involving Jeffrey Epstein and disclosure constraints

Andrew held the trade envoy role for 10 years, during which he had privileged access to senior government and business contacts around the world. He faces allegations that he shared sensitive information with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein while in the role. Those allegations surfaced after the release of so-called Epstein files by the US in January. Andrew was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office and was later released under investigation; he has previously denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein and has not responded to requests for comment on the specific allegations that emerged.

Peter Mandelson's arrest and Mishcon de Reya statement

Peter Mandelson has complained about his arrest, saying police detained him yesterday despite an earlier agreement that he would attend a voluntary interview next month. issued by the law firm Mishcon de Reya, Mandelson said the arrest followed a "baseless suggestion" that he was planning to leave the country and take up permanent residence abroad, and the statement stressed there was "absolutely no truth" in that suggestion. The statement also says Mandelson’s priority is to cooperate with the Metropolitan Police Service and to clear his name, and that his legal team have asked the MPS for the evidence relied on to justify the arrest.

Michael Forsyth has denied the claim he passed information to the Met suggesting Mandelson planned to flee, calling the allegation "entirely false. " A spokesperson for the lord speaker described any suggestion that the lord speaker received or communicated such information to the Metropolitan Police Service as "entirely false and without foundation, " and sources in the House of Lords have labelled the claim about Michael Forsyth "completely untrue. "

Social media attack on Natalie Fleet and Simon Evans' resharing

The Commons debate also touched on threats and abuse directed at politicians. A Labour MP said politicians should not expect to face "death threats as standard" after a Reform UK councillor shared a Facebook post saying Natalie Fleet "should be shot. " Natalie Fleet, who has previously spoken about being groomed and raped as a teenager, had her picture circulated with a fake quote misattributed to her that read: "I voted against the grooming gang enquiry. " The post was shared by Simon Evans, the deputy leader of Lancashire council and cabinet member for children and families, who also reshared the accompanying text that said: "You dozy cow, you should be shot. "

What makes this notable is the concentration of distinct but related pressures converging on Westminster: formal parliamentary action to compel document release, criminal inquiries by the Metropolitan Police Service that may limit transparency, and concurrent reputational disputes involving senior figures. The timing matters because MPs have signalled they expect swift legislative and administrative responses — Bryant said the government is "working at pace" on measures to remove Andrew from the line of succession, though he would not commit to a specific date — and simultaneous legal and political processes could shape what is ultimately disclosed.

The coverage of the Commons debate and subsequent statements was edited by Alex Smith and Emily McGarvey, with Brian Wheeler reporting from the House of Commons. A separate note within parliamentary reporting records that a former US ambassador issued a statement through his lawyers saying his priority is to cooperate with police and clear his name; unclear in the provided context whether that comment refers to Mandelson or another individual.

MPs will now await the material the government has pledged to release, while the Metropolitan Police Service continues its investigation and those named in the debate pursue legal and public responses.