Andrew Files: The Government must commit to mandatory vetting for all similar appointments in future

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Andrew Files: The Government must commit to mandatory vetting for all similar appointments in future

Responding to the government releasing the first batch of documents relating to the appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as trade envoy in 2001, following a motion to Parliament by the Liberal Democrats, Liberal Democrat Chief Whip Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

"It is shocking and deeply troubling that Andrew was appointed to the trade envoy role with no vetting. Nobody should be above such standards. This raises serious questions about why officials and ministers at the time thought that was acceptable.

"The lack of documentation provided is itself concerning, as is the time it has taken to get this far. We must get the full files from government without delay, and an explanation about why there is such a small paper trail. And the Government must commit to mandatory vetting for all similar appointments in future.

"The victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein, and the justice they have been denied for years, are foremost in our minds as this continues.

“We must have a full public inquiry into Epstein, his links to the British establishment, and the abuse he and his associates perpetrated against women and girls here in the UK.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Liberal Democrat Chief Whip, Wendy Chamberlain is available for interview.

A hard copy of the release can be found at the Vote Office.