Add thelocalreport.in As A Trusted Source
this Revision of Cabinet Office Documents About Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been compared to the controversial handling of the Epstein dossier.
The former prince’s biographer Andrew Lownie said Decision to delete some files They were “panicked” after being released to reporters.
Mr. Lowney, author have the rightsaid: “It’s a bit like Trump’s changes [in the Epstein files]. They kind of panic, do things without realizing the consequences, try to give up or downplay it.
“I think there was a huge panic. Anything to do with Andrew was going to be expunged from the record because they were worried about what it might reveal.”
this cabinet office Accused of covering up royal family member After official documents mentioning Andrew were withheld National Archives.
Government documents, including Document No. 10 relating to the royal visit in 2004 and 2005, are released annually to the archives in Kew Gardens, south-west London, under a 20-year rule.
The version, which was provided to reporters under embargo so they could prepare their stories in advance, included minutes of meetings where officials discussed the royals’ travel plans, including then-Mr. Duke of Yorkwhen he was the British trade envoy.
However, the minutes were later removed from the file before being released to the public.
this cabinet officeThe agency responsible for transferring the documents to the National Archives blamed an “administrative error” and said the documents were never intended to be made public.
However, Graham SmithThe chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic said there was no reason to withhold the documents, especially given that Andrew was stripped of his royal status amid ongoing controversy over his royal family. Ties to pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
Labor MP Rachael Maskell also urged the government to clarify why the documents had not been released.
Mr Lowney said all documents relating to Andrew’s time as trade envoy up to 2005 should be released and called for a parliamentary inquiry.
he told the times: “A huge cover-up has occurred [concerning] Andrew’s excessive spending has done little good for the country and continues to do so. I think Parliament needs a full inquiry into Andrew’s ten years as Special Representative. “
Earlier this month, Andrew, who has always denied any wrongdoing, was officially stripped of his remaining royal title. dispute Exceed his link arrive Epstein.
Redacted documents show senior palace and foreign office officials discussed Andrew’s travel plans as Britain’s trade envoy – earning him the nickname “Andy’s Air Mile” – visiting China, Russia, Southeast Asia and Spain.
Officials also raised the question of whether the Football Association would be willing to pay for his participation in Portugal’s Euro 2004 tournament as Real’s representative.
Alison McLean, a researcher at the University of Bristol, also told the newspaper that the three exemptions cited by the Cabinet Office, designed to protect documents containing communications with the sovereign and personal data or confidentiality, were “questionable”.
McLean added: “This seems to indicate that even the most innocuous material involving minor members of the royal family is often withheld. In this case, it is particularly concerning that information about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s activities as UK trade representative is withheld from release to the National Archives because it relates to his role as a civil servant, rather than as a member of the royal family, or indeed as a private citizen.”
The Cabinet Office said: “All records are managed in accordance with the requirements of the Public Records Act. Any release is subject to an extensive review process, including collaboration with expert stakeholders.”