Cabinet Office accused of Andrew cover-up after disgraced ex-prince’s files mysteriously withheld

Key details about the former Duke of York vanished just before they were formally made public

The Cabinet Office has been accused of a royal cover-up after files concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were mysteriously removed from the National Archives.

Government papers from 2004 and 2005 covering the disgraced former prince’s travel arrangements were released under a rolling 20-year release to the archives in Kew.

Media outlets had initially received a version containing meeting minutes about travel arrangements for various royals, including the then-Duke of York.

Those minutes were later redacted before the full files were made public.

Officials claimed the removal was an “administrative error” and said the documents were never meant for release.

A spokesman said: “All records are managed in line with the requirements of the Public Records Act.

“Any release is subject to an extensive review process, including engaging expert stakeholders.”

But their disappearance has raised eyebrows – not least from anti-monarchy activists.

The Cabinet Office has been accused of a royal cover-up after files about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were mysteriously removed from the National Archives

Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, argued there were no grounds to keep them under wraps after a year of revelations over Andrew’s links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

“There should be no royal exemption at all,” Mr Smith fumed.

“But this exemption surely doesn’t apply to Andrew now he’s no longer a royal.

“The most likely reason for this attempt to stop disclosure is pressure from the Palace.

Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, argued there were no grounds to keep the files under wraps

“The royals have sought to keep everything under wraps when it comes to Andrew, not to protect him but to protect themselves.

“The royals are one of the most secretive institutions in the UK. These documents should be released without fear or favour, to allow the public to make informed judgments about the royals.”

Andrew has always denied any wrongdoing.

The withdrawn minutes, seen by journalists before their swift removal, appeared not to contain any major revelations about Andrew.

The files included details of Andrew’s travel arrangements as a trade envoy – including to China and Russia

Senior palace and Foreign Office officials discussed his travel schedule as a UK trade envoy, a role that earned him the nickname “air miles Andy.”

His planned destinations included China, Russia, south-east Asia and Spain.

The documents also addressed whether the FA would cover costs for Andrew to attend Euro 2004 in Portugal as a royal representative.

A rule change meant his trade envoy trips would shift from UK Trade and Industry funding to the Royal Travel Office, requiring an extra £90,000.

Andrew Lownie, the author of Entitled, which charts the numerous scandals involving the King’s younger brother, labelled the decision to withdraw the file as “odd behaviour” – but not unusual for royal records.

“I certainly had problems getting hold of anything to do with the royal visits,” Mr Lownie said.

“It is interesting as to why they are taking this stuff out – there’s nothing embarrassing there. It plays to my experience that everything to do with Andrew is being held up.”

Mr Lownie in 2023 revealed that various files about the disgraced ex-Duke will not be released until 2065, in what he then called a “continuing cover-up”.

At the time, royal expert Michael Cole told GB News that “by sealing these papers for so long, it invites the suspicion that there’s something really terrible in these papers”.

The 2005 minutes also revealed that a request for Prince William to visit China was rejected.

Officials determined he should not carry out official duties until he turned 25.