Claims duke promoted company on official trips
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Alistair Darling’s top aides are claimed to have been sent to Mr Rowland by Andrew two hours later with a suggestion he wait before making his “move”.
Only months earlier, the Rowlands had bought a division of a collapsed Icelandic bank in an £86million deal.
Andrew also took Spotty’s son, Jonathan, on an official trade mission to Saudi Arabia.
There they met Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz al Saud, second son of the country’s current monarch.
The duke also had a 40% stake in a firm in the British Virgin Islands called Inverness Asset Management that existed until March.
It is claimed it was used to attract wealthy connections to invest in a taxfree offshore fund. According to the Mail on Sunday, one email shows when Andrew faced the sack from his trade envoy role due to his friendship with Epstein, Jonathan Rowland suggested their commercial activities continue “under the radar”.
Andrew replied: “I like your thinking”, the paper alleges.
Further exchanges with Andrew’s office are said to detail attempts to promote the Rowlands’ business on the duke’s visits to the Middle East and China. On one trip,
Andrew reportedly lobbied the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, about the Rowlands’ plans to open an offshoot of their bank in the country.
He later telephoned an official to help get the lucrative venture off the ground, it is alleged.
In 2009 Andrew opened Mr Rowland’s bank in Luxembourg in his official capacity.
Two years later it was revealed the property tycoon, 74, had helped pay off some of the Duchess of York’s debts. He is reported to have handed
CHRIS BRYANT ON CALL FOR PARLIAMENTARY PROBE
Fergie £40,000. Epstein separately loaned her £15,000 to pay creditors.
In 2010 Mr Rowland caused Prime Minister David Cameron embarrassment when he quit as Tory party treasurer before taking up his post.
His appointment to the role had been dogged by criticism over his former status as a tax exile.
After he gave £1million to the party in 2009, it emerged he had lived in Guernsey for tax purposes but returned to full UK residency to be able to donate to the party legally.
Leaked emails from Jonathan Rowland also allege Andrew planned to take a stake in the family’s bank.
The duke took the trade envoy role in 2001, but quit in 2011. Claims over his links to the Rowlands come amid growing scrutiny over how the prince funds his luxury lifestyle.
Yesterday Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn signalled he would make changes to monarchy.
Asked if he thought it was too big, Mr Corbyn told Sky News’ Sophy Ridge: “I think there’s a lot of people attached to the Royal Family.”
Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said: “We need to be respecting the institution of the monarchy.”
A palace spokesman said of the duke’s trade role: “The aim was to promote Britain and British interests, not the interests of individuals.”
He pursued his own financial interests and those of his mates