Thaindian News

London, March 07 (ANI): Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, who is a special representative for UK Trade and Investment, is under great pressure to quit or face a humiliating reduction of his globe-trotting role.

As the Jeffrey Epstein scandal intensified, unease was deepening in the Cabinet with ministers privately suggesting they would ’shed no tears’ if the he fell on his sword.

In addition, officials have been instructed to praise the prince for his “valuable contribution” but go no further to defend him.

Andrew is said to be determined to save his job and to have the full support of the Queen. Ministers insist there is no prospect of him being dismissed.

But there is increasing concern over the damage being done to Britain’s reputation by the allegations swirling around him.

His unpaid position has come under intense scrutiny over his 16-year friendship with billionaire Epstein, who was jailed for soliciting an under-age girl for prostitution. The prince was pictured with his arm around Virginia Roberts, the tycoon’s then teenage masseuse.

“The Royals go on and on, that’s what they do. They are not sackable. But in his job there is a process for a review every six months. It is a tasking review and what he does can be increased or it can, of course, be reduced,” the Daily Mail quoted one Cabinet minister as saying.

Another senior Government source said the ball was in Andrew’s court.

“If you are asking me would tears be shed if he decided himself that he should step down, the answer is No.”

Lord Oakeshott, a senior Liberal Democrat peer and the party’s former Treasury spokesman, said: “In any business, you have to review from time to time whether staff are still providing value for money. If the Duke of York was working for a private-sector business, the board would be asking whether he is a salesman now carrying too much baggage.”

Labour MP Adrian Bailey, chairman of the Commons Business Select Committee, raised the possibility of an investigation into Andrew’s role.

“I do feel that he can add value to the British export drive, but obviously there are now issues that have to be considered,’ he said.

‘We may well want to have a look at them in light of some of the controversy that has arisen. Certainly the committee may want to consider it,” Bailey added. (ANI)