Cabinet Office attributes mistaken release of Downing Street file on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to administrative error
The Cabinet Office has attributed the unredacted release of a Downing Street file relating to royal visits involving Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to an 'administrative error.'
The file, covering the years 2004 and 2005, was briefly shared with journalists under embargo ahead of the planned transfer of government papers to the National Archives in Kew, west London, under the 20-year rule.
While the version sent to the National Archives for public viewing included redactions of some details about Andrew, officials state the unredacted content was never intended for release.
The minutes documented a meeting discussing travel plans for the former prince, who at the time served as a trade envoy.
The mistaken release also contained minutes about potential travel plans for Prince William, now the Prince of Wales.
Files relating to the Royal Family are often withheld under the Public Records Act, although most records are released after 20 years following an extensive review process.
Campaigners from Republic have argued that royal exemptions should not apply since Andrew no longer holds royal titles and have called for a full public release to enable informed judgments.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been stripped of royal titles and honours over links to Jeffrey Epstein; he has denied any wrongdoing.
