Prince under more pressure for lobbying over ‘torture’ regime

In the latest development, it has emerged he lobbied an MP to help British business in a former Soviet republic accused of torturing protesters.

Prince Andrew met Mark Field, Conservative MP for Cities of London and Westminster and chairman of the all-party parliamentary group on Azerbaijan, on Monday to highlight the “tremendous opportunities” in the central Asian autocracy.

Human rights organisation Amnesty International has condemned the oil-rich state for its violence towards and harassment of civil society activists.

Despite receiving the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron and Chancellor George Osborne, the Duke has continued to be dogged for several days by accusations of a lack of judgment about his friendship with US billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, a convicted sex offender.

Further details about his dealings with Epstein were revealed when it was reported that the American landed his private jet at an RAF fighter base during a visit to Sandringham in 2000.

Other reports have claimed that the Queen, despite giving her backing to her son according to royal sources quoted in the media, has met Andrew to discuss recent events.

However, the Duke appeared relaxed as he arrived at The Big Bang – a fair for young scientists and engineers – at the ExCel centre in London’s Docklands for thousands of school children over three days.

During the visit, the Duke also unveiled the Royal Navy’s engineering “app” that uses maritime themed games to encourage technically minded students to think about a career in the service.