Andrew’s envoy work is defended by palace

Buckingham Palace has insisted the Duke of York was promoting British interests and “not the interests of individuals” amid claims he exploited his role as UK trade envoy.

An investigation by the Mail on Sunday claims Andrew had conflicts of interest between multimillionaire property developer David Rowland, who the newspaper refers to as his “close friend”, and his role as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment.

But a royal spokesman said the duke’s 10-year stint in the role was solely to promote British interests.

He said: “The Duke of York was the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment between 2001 and July 2011 and in that time the aim, and that of his office, was to promote Britain and British interests overseas not the interests of individuals.”

It comes after Andrew stepped down from public duties in the wake of his Newsnight interview about his association with disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, who took his own life in jail earlier this year while facing sex trafficking charges.

During the interview Andrew said his relationship with Epstein gave him the opportunity to meet people and help prepare for the official role.

The duke stepped aside as trade envoy in 2011 after it became public he had stayed with Epstein following the convicted sex offender’s release from jail.

Virginia Giuffre, one of 16 women who say they were abused by Epstein, claims she was forced into a sexual encounter with Andrew – an allegation he strenuously denies.

Ms Giuffre’s first UK television interview is to be broadcast today: A Panaroma programme entitled The Prince And The Epstein Scandal.

The PA news agency was unable to contact Mr Rowland.

The Mail on Sunday said he declined to comment for legal reasons.