A historian writing a biography of Prince Andrew claims government bodies are “making it difficult to write a legitimate book.” Andrew Lownie, who has previously published biographies of Edward VIII and Lord Mountbatten, is contesting “attempts to block the book’s research.”
“The Foreign Office is refusing to release papers related to his time as trade envoy and the Metropolitan Police is refusing to reveal the costs of his protection,” he said. In correspondence which the Londoner has seen, the Foreign Office claims that it “did not identify” relevant information in its archive searches. After Lownie requested information on a specific envoy visit, the Foreign Office said it would look again.
The Prince served as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment from 2001 to 2011. While the Prince was employed as an envoy by the Department of Trade and Industry, diplomatic telegrams related to his foreign visits in the role would usually have been handled by the Foreign Office.
The Met says it has a “long-standing policy” not to discuss matters of protective security.
“It seems officialdom don’t want the public to know how much he costs still nor who he took along on his trips,” said Lownie.
The book, about the Prince and his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York, is due for publication next year. It is currently untitled but carries the subtitle “The Controversial Lives of the Duke and Duchess of York”. Lownie told The Londoner it will “focus on their financial affairs rather than their sexual affairs” and promises “some surprises”.
Lownie is particularly sceptical of the Foreign Office’s refusal. “I know from press reports and talking to diplomats, quite apart from common sense, that there will be records surrounding his visits as trade envoy when he operated as a public servant,” Lownie said. “Indeed, these files should have been deposited at National Archives. Yet the Foreign Office is pretending they cannot find any communications. I think it is a matter for MPs to raise in Parliament.”
Research for the book continues. “I’m still very keen to talk to people who have any stories on Andrew,” Lownie told us.
Chef wars
The row over Thomas Straker’s all-male, all-white kitchen line-up seems to have inspired some not-so-subtle digs from his fellow chefs.
Straker, founder of the eponymous restaurant in Notting Hill, triggered a controversy on Monday when he posted a photograph of his staff. Some criticised the results of his recruitment drive. He responded by telling everyone to “calm down” and blamed a shortage of chefs, later apologising and saying he was “committed to ensuring diversity”.
Now others including Tomos Parry and Mam Sham have posted subtle digs. A photo from Parry showed a more varied team outside his new Soho venue, Mountain. “As we enter our third week, I’m very grateful to every single person involved in this journey so far,” he wrote. 64 Goodge Street posted a similar snap.
Coincidental timing? Perhaps not. One chef’s PR disaster is another’s opportunity.
