The UK government faced renewed pressure Tuesday to release documents on former Prince Andrew’s role as a trade envoy, as police questioned a senior politician over his ties to late financier Jeffrey Epstein.

US authorities last month made public millions of files tied to Epstein, revealing connections that have shaken British political and royal circles. The disclosures have triggered calls for the government to release its own vetting records, sparking multiple high-profile investigations.

MPs push for Andrew documents

The Liberal Democrats announced plans to table a parliamentary motion on Tuesday demanding the release of vetting documents for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a trade envoy from 2001 to 2011. The former prince was arrested last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“The public is rightly demanding to know how Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed to represent our nation in a high-level trade role,” Liberal leader Ed Davey said. “No one, regardless of their title or their friends, should be beyond the scrutiny of parliament.”

Mandelson’s appointment under review

The government is set to release in March the first batch of documents related to former minister Peter Mandelson’s appointment as UK ambassador to Washington, a role he held until September. Mandelson was arrested on Monday in a separate misconduct probe linked to Epstein.

Mandelson’s appointment previously sparked resignations among two of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s top aides. The forthcoming release of documents on both Mandelson and Andrew could deepen political tensions for the government and Labour Party.

Mountbatten-Windsor, King Charles III’s younger brother, was stripped of his royal titles last year. He is under investigation for allegedly sharing sensitive documents with Epstein during his time as envoy. The former prince has denied wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

MPs are seeking to release vetting documents from Andrew’s appointment under then-Prime Minister Tony Blair. Biographer Andrew Lownie told AFP that Blair and Mandelson “pushed his appointment through.”

Government response

The parliamentary motion, called a “humble address,” was recently used to compel Starmer to release documents on Mandelson’s 2024 ambassadorial appointment.

Government minister Bridget Phillipson said Tuesday the release of Mandelson documents will go ahead in early March, with care taken not to interfere with ongoing police investigations.

Starmer apologized to Epstein’s victims for Mandelson’s appointment and accused him of lying during the vetting process. Mandelson, released on bail Tuesday, previously apologized for his friendship with Epstein but claimed he was unaware of Epstein’s criminal activities.