UPDATE 1-UK finds no evidence of vetting for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's trade role

​The British government on Thursday published ​historic documents on ‌the 2001 ​appointment of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as a trade envoy, saying it found no evidence that formal due ‌diligence or security vetting was carried out at the time.

The government agreed to release the documents after an opposition party used a rare parliamentary device ‌to request the publication of files about the appointment of Mountbatten-Windsor, brother ‌of Britain's King Charles. "We have found no evidence that a formal due diligence or vetting process was undertaken. There is also no evidence that this was considered," ⁠Chris Bryant, ​a junior ⁠trade minister, said in a written statement to parliament.

Mountbatten-Windsor, the second son of the ⁠late Queen Elizabeth, served as the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment ​between 2001 to 2011 in a role that allowed him to travel ⁠the world meeting senior business and government figures in the unpaid role. Formerly known as ⁠Prince ​Andrew, Mountbatten-Windsor was the first member of the British royal family to be arrested in more than three centuries earlier this ⁠year when he was questioned by officers on suspicion of misconduct in public ⁠office.

He has ⁠always denied any wrongdoing in relation to Epstein, and said he regrets their friendship.

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