Sunday, February 10, 2008

Prince Andrew: International Golf ambassador ?

How the heck can Prince Andrew act effectively as a roving trade ambassador for the UK, if, over the last year, hasn't exchanged a single item of correspondence with the government's Trade department ?

The Observer's Pendennis writes:

(Prince Andrew) faces outrage over his lack of communication with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (previously the Department for Trade and Industry) not simply over this trip, but over everything he does in his capacity as Britain's roving trade representative. He has held the position since 2001.

A request for information made by this column under the Freedom of Information Act has drawn the staggering admission that between 1 January 2007 and the beginning of this year, there was no correspondence whatsoever between the Duke of York and ministers or officials at the department. The duke's website says: 'Working with government, and in particular UK Trade and Investment [UKTI], the duke's job involves promoting the UK as an attractive inward investment destination for foreign investors, creating more positive business conditions for British businesses investing overseas and helping UK companies export their products to emerging and established markets.' If he has not exchanged any written information with UKTI in the last year, questions are bound to be asked about his suitability for the role.


No wonder our little terrier, Norman Baker, says:

If he has this role, he needs to be briefed by and to brief the department. Six-figure sums are regularly paid for his transport and there have been suggestions before that he takes advantage of it to play golf around the world. Your information will increase this suspicion.

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