The allegations of misconduct in office are likely to relate to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as Britain’s trade envoy.
The former crown prince became trade envoy in 2001, but resigned 10 years later after coming under fire over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor said at the time that his position was “no longer necessary for my work today and, more importantly, in the future”.
Documents released by the US Department of Justice revealed that Mountbatten-Windsor had contact with Epstein while he was a trade envoy.
As set out in UK government guidelines, trade envoys have the same duties as government ministers, and their role “involves obligations of confidentiality in relation to information they receive”, including “confidential, commercial or political information shared about relevant markets or visits”.
The guidelines clearly state that even after a special envoy retires, “the obligation of confidentiality continues to apply.”
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has strongly denied any wrongdoing in his dealings with Mr Epstein.