This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-12662458

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
More Prince Andrew revelations 'could end trade role' More Prince Andrew revelations 'could end trade role'
(about 1 hour later)
The Duke of York may not survive as a UK trade envoy if there are more damaging revelations about him, Downing Street sources have said.The Duke of York may not survive as a UK trade envoy if there are more damaging revelations about him, Downing Street sources have said.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said Prince Andrew would have to judge his own position, although there would be "conversations" about his future role.Business Secretary Vince Cable said Prince Andrew would have to judge his own position, although there would be "conversations" about his future role.
The prince has been criticised over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier.The prince has been criticised over his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, an American financier.
Ministers have defended the prince's work, adding it is regularly reviewed.Ministers have defended the prince's work, adding it is regularly reviewed.
"I think we need to remember he is doing this as a volunteer, he is not a government appointee, he is not somebody who is appointed and sacked," Mr Cable told the BBC."I think we need to remember he is doing this as a volunteer, he is not a government appointee, he is not somebody who is appointed and sacked," Mr Cable told the BBC.
"The assessment of the businesses I have seen that have worked with him is that he has been supportive and helpful."The assessment of the businesses I have seen that have worked with him is that he has been supportive and helpful.
"I think it is down to him to judge the position he wants to be in. Obviously there are conversations which will take place with him about what he's to do in future.""I think it is down to him to judge the position he wants to be in. Obviously there are conversations which will take place with him about what he's to do in future."
BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said a Downing Street source had conceded one more serious story could make the prince's role untenable.BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said a Downing Street source had conceded one more serious story could make the prince's role untenable.
Our correspondent added that the prince was currently continuing in his job, but that the position was already reviewed on a regular basis.Our correspondent added that the prince was currently continuing in his job, but that the position was already reviewed on a regular basis.
One review took place last Tuesday when Prince Andrew met Sir Jon Cunliffe, the prime minister's chief adviser on Europe and overseas business.One review took place last Tuesday when Prince Andrew met Sir Jon Cunliffe, the prime minister's chief adviser on Europe and overseas business.
The Downing Street source described the recent flurry of stories surrounding the Duke of York as the media trying to create "guilt by association" but added that one more serious story could change the situation overnight.The Downing Street source described the recent flurry of stories surrounding the Duke of York as the media trying to create "guilt by association" but added that one more serious story could change the situation overnight.
In public the cabinet has been supportive of Prince Andrew, paying tribute to the "valuable contribution" he has made to the British economy.In public the cabinet has been supportive of Prince Andrew, paying tribute to the "valuable contribution" he has made to the British economy.
Business Secretary Vince Cable says he would not even have the power to fire the prince because he is a volunteer.Business Secretary Vince Cable says he would not even have the power to fire the prince because he is a volunteer.
But behind the scenes, sources have briefed the papers that the role might be "downgraded" following one of the regular six-monthly reviews of how the job works.But behind the scenes, sources have briefed the papers that the role might be "downgraded" following one of the regular six-monthly reviews of how the job works.
And we are told that Prince Andrew met one of the prime minister's business advisers last week.And we are told that Prince Andrew met one of the prime minister's business advisers last week.
And therein lies the story: why is there a difference?And therein lies the story: why is there a difference?
It is probably because the relationship between politicians and royals is a tricky, delicate dance where neither partner can step on the toes of the other in public.It is probably because the relationship between politicians and royals is a tricky, delicate dance where neither partner can step on the toes of the other in public.
A cabinet minister calling for the brother of the future king to stand down would be considered a step too far.A cabinet minister calling for the brother of the future king to stand down would be considered a step too far.
"It's unlikely the government would actually sack Prince Andrew but may choose in the long run gradually to downgrade his activities, avoiding a damaging and embarrassing row between ministers and the Royal Family," added our correspondent."It's unlikely the government would actually sack Prince Andrew but may choose in the long run gradually to downgrade his activities, avoiding a damaging and embarrassing row between ministers and the Royal Family," added our correspondent.
Former Labour minister Ben Bradshaw criticised Downing Street sources for commenting on the prince's position while remaining anonymous.Former Labour minister Ben Bradshaw criticised Downing Street sources for commenting on the prince's position while remaining anonymous.
He tweeted: "No 10's anonymous briefing on Prince Andrew is a disgrace. They must either back him completely or politely dispense with his services."He tweeted: "No 10's anonymous briefing on Prince Andrew is a disgrace. They must either back him completely or politely dispense with his services."
A spokesman for the UKTI, the government trade body, has said there is no suggestion at the moment that Prince Andrew's role is being downgraded.A spokesman for the UKTI, the government trade body, has said there is no suggestion at the moment that Prince Andrew's role is being downgraded.
Meanwhile Labour MP and former Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant has reiterated his view that the prince should no longer be used as a UK trade ambassador.Meanwhile Labour MP and former Foreign Office minister Chris Bryant has reiterated his view that the prince should no longer be used as a UK trade ambassador.
"I am sure there are some countries in the world where having a visiting royal makes a difference, it makes it possible to have some meetings which wouldn't otherwise be possible," he told BBC Breakfast."I am sure there are some countries in the world where having a visiting royal makes a difference, it makes it possible to have some meetings which wouldn't otherwise be possible," he told BBC Breakfast.
"But I am afraid he has now just become a national embarrassment. My worry is that, sometimes when he goes on these trips, I am not sure whether he is helping us out or he is just helping himself.""But I am afraid he has now just become a national embarrassment. My worry is that, sometimes when he goes on these trips, I am not sure whether he is helping us out or he is just helping himself."
He added: "The truth is we shouldn't be using him for these delegations any more."He added: "The truth is we shouldn't be using him for these delegations any more."
But royal historian Hugo Vickers said there had been "rather irresponsible" harassment of the prince by the press.But royal historian Hugo Vickers said there had been "rather irresponsible" harassment of the prince by the press.
"I actually really disapprove very strongly of people being hounded out of a job, if he is doing a good job, by this sort of press coverage," he said."I actually really disapprove very strongly of people being hounded out of a job, if he is doing a good job, by this sort of press coverage," he said.
"I think if you actually examine the facts very carefully you will find that a lot of mud has been slung at him, some of it perhaps should have been, but... an awful lot of it shouldn't.""I think if you actually examine the facts very carefully you will find that a lot of mud has been slung at him, some of it perhaps should have been, but... an awful lot of it shouldn't."
Foreign Secretary William Hague has also defended the prince's work.Foreign Secretary William Hague has also defended the prince's work.
On Sunday he said Prince Andrew has done "a lot of good for the UK" in his role as trade ambassador.On Sunday he said Prince Andrew has done "a lot of good for the UK" in his role as trade ambassador.
Mr Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution.Mr Epstein was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution.
Prince Andrew has been the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment since 2001, with the job of promoting Britain's business interests around the world.Prince Andrew has been the UK's Special Representative for International Trade and Investment since 2001, with the job of promoting Britain's business interests around the world.