A former business secretary has said Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as a trade envoy should be investigated for possible corruption.

Documents released by the United States Department of Justice appeared to show the former prince sharing confidential reports with disgraced financier Jeffery Epstein during his role as the UK’s trade envoy.

Government guidance states that the role of a trade envoy carries a duty of confidentiality regarding sensitive information.

This duty of confidentiality continues to apply after the expiry of their term of office.

Sir Cable told the BBC: “We need a police or DPP (director of public prosecutions) check on whether criminal corruption took place and a government investigation into how this was allowed to happen.”

Thames Valley Police have said they held discussions with specialists from the Crown Prosecution Service about the allegations.

“While we cannot provide timescales over when a decision as to whether a criminal investigation will be opened, we can assure you that Thames Valley Police is making progress as quickly as possible,” the force said.

The former duke made the visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore in his capacity as trade envoy in late 2010. This involved conducting meetings and trade talks.

An email dated November 2010 was forwarded by the former royal five minutes after being sent by his then-special advisor, Amir Patel.

Andrew, in 2019, told BBC’s Newsnight that he had cut off contact with the late Epstein in December 2010.

In February 2011, Andrew told Epstein he had visited a private equity firm and “thought of you” as the financier, who was reportedly “looking for somewhere for money to go”.

Andrew features several times in the documents relating to Epstein. Appearing or being named in the files does not imply wrongdoing.