Backed by Labour and Conservative figures, he was a controversial choice when appointed in 2001
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office, bringing his former role as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment into focus. He denies any wrongdoing. But what was that role?
The Duke of York, as he was then known, became the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment in October 2001. The role was described by UK Trade & Investment as an “extensive programme of targeted engagements both in the UK and overseas to promote the interest of UK industry and the UK as a whole”.
In essence, the role involved high-level lobbying, as well as the handling of sensitive “confidential briefs” regarding investment opportunities. It required close coordination with the UK’s trade and diplomatic missions abroad.
He started the role during Tony Blair’s government, after retiring from the navy in July 2001. In 2011, No 10, then under the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition, said the appointment was made “with the agreement of the then foreign secretary [Jack Straw] and the trade and industry secretary [Patricia Hewitt]”.
