LONDON – The Duke of York is to step down from his role as the UK’s roving business ambassador, Buckingham Palace confirmed last night.
Prince Andrew gave up the post following the intense scrutiny he faced earlier this year over his relationships with a series of controversial figures, including a convicted paedophile.
The duke has been dogged by accusations of a lack of judgment about his links with American billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
A palace spokeswoman said: “The role as special representative will no longer exist as the Duke of York has decided to relinquish it after 10 years.”
The spokeswoman stressed that Andrew would continue to undertake official overseas trips as a member of the royal family in support of Britain’s foreign interest.
The duke says on his website that he will continue to develop his role in support of UK businesses.
“As the evolution of my role continues apace and in order to reflect the changes I have outlined, I have decided that the label I gave myself when I began this role of special representative has served its purpose and is no longer necessary to the work that I do today and, more importantly, in the future.
He outlined his plans to focus more on the training of the next generation of workers and helping small and medium-sized businesses widen their role in the export market.
Prime minister David Cameron said: “I would like to thank the Duke of York for the major contribution he has made over the last decade to UK trade and the huge support he has given to British businesses as the Special Representative for Trade and Investment.”
The duke has been the UK’s special representative since 2001, travelling around the world promoting Britain’s business interests.
Doubts were raised about his position in the wake of media coverage about him entertaining the son-in-law of ousted Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at Buckingham Palace. The duke also held a meeting with Libya’s Col Muammar Gadafy while on a private visit to Tunisia in 2008.
As the criticism mounted in March, he received the backing of Mr Cameron and the chancellor, George Osborne. Calls for the duke to resign or be removed from his role were made by Labour MP Chris Bryant, a former foreign office minister, and senior Labour backbencher Mike Gapes.
A leaked letter written by retired diplomat Stephen Day, a former ambassador to Qatar and Tunisia, to foreign secretary William Hague stated that an “entirely new role should be found for him as soon as possible”.
At the height of the media interest the duke pulled out of a business trip to Saudi Arabia. – (PA)