Duke agrees to drop trade envoy role

The Duke of York is to step down from his role as the UK’s roving business ambassador, according to reports.
By The Newsroom
Published 22nd Jul 2011, 07:00 BST

Speculation is mounting that Andrew will give 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.

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Further doubts were raised about Andrew’s 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.

Andrew also held a meeting with Libya’s embattled leader Colonel Gaddafi while on a private visit to Tunisia in 2008.

But as the criticism mounted in March, he received the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne.

Related topics:David CameronAmerican