Skip to main content
Boris Johnson defends Prince Andrew at G7 despite Epstein controversy
Boris Johnson, pictured meeting French President Emmanuel Macron

ANDREW WINDSOR has done good work for British businesses overseas, Boris Johnson said today after weeks of speculation about the friendship between Queen Elizabeth Windsor’s second son and US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The prince was a special UK trade representative for a decade until he stood down in 2011 amid concerns over his contact with Mr Epstein.

Asked during media interviews at the G7 Summit in France whether he had confidence in Mr Windsor, the PM told ITV News: “I’ve worked with Prince Andrew, I’ve seen the good he has been able to do for UK business overseas.

“I have no comment, or indeed no knowledge of this other stuff.”

Despite Mr Johnson’s praise, WikiLeaks has previously revealed that US diplomats regarded the prince as “rude.”

In his official role, the Duke of York often travelled to dictatorships to talk up trade deals with Britain.

At a cosy meeting in Kyrgyzstan in 2008, he denounced a Serious Fraud Office probe into British arms company BAE as “idiocy” and said investigative journalists “poke their noses everywhere and (presumably) make it harder for British businessmen to do business,” according to the leaked cables.

On Saturday, Mr Windsor issued a lengthy statement about his relationship with Mr Epstein, who reportedly took his own life in a Manhatten jail earlier this month while being held on sex-trafficking charges.

He said it was a “mistake” to meet Mr Epstein after he left prison in 2010, claiming: “At no stage during the limited time I spent with him did I see, witness or suspect any behaviour of the sort that subsequently led to his arrest and conviction.”

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
SMILING ASSASSINS: Contra rebels in Nicaragua
Extract / 21 January 2020
21 January 2020
Investigative journalist PHIL MILLER'S new book exposes the activities of Keenie Meenie Services, a powerful and secretive mercenary company which, from Sri Lanka to Nicaragua, has been involved in war crimes around the world.
Captain Dean Sprouting
Britain / 10 October 2019
10 October 2019
US soldiers' 'entirely improper' driving of forklift truck crushed Captain Dean Sprouting
A US airman secures a fuel line on the flightline at Royal A
Britain / 26 September 2019
26 September 2019
Similar stories
The Duke of Sussex with Sentebale chairwoman Sophie Chandauk
Britain / 30 March 2025
30 March 2025
Andrew Windsor departs Westminster Abbey, London, following
Britain / 6 January 2025
6 January 2025
Peter Mandelson, British Labour politician, arrives at a mem
Editorial: / 20 December 2024
20 December 2024