Commons Sense

House of Commons · Written Ministerial Statement

Update on the Government response to the Liberal Democrat Humble Address Motion

24 March 2026 · Department for Business and Trade

Proposed by Chris Bryant Lab Rhondda

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Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

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At a glance

Key points

  • The Government has established a dedicated team to coordinate work across Whitehall in response to the Liberal Democrat Humble Address Motion.
  • The team is ensuring compliance with Parliament's request while safeguarding against the release of information that could prejudice a live police investigation.
  • Historic records are being searched and the department is coordinating with other Departments and the Cabinet Office to compile relevant material.

Issue summary

The statement provides an update on the Government's response to the Liberal Democrat Humble Address Motion regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

Action requested

A dedicated team has been established by the Department for Business and Trade to coordinate work across Whitehall, ensuring compliance with Parliament’s request while avoiding any information that could prejudice a live police investigation. The department is searching historic records and coordinating with other Departments and the Cabinet Office to compile relevant material.

Key facts

  • The Humble Address Motion was approved on 24 February 2026.
  • From 1976 to 2001, the Duke of Kent served as Vice-Chairman of British Overseas Trade Board and later British Trade International.
  • Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor did not take over the Duke of Kent’s Board role but was involved in trade promotion through an unpaid role with travel expenses covered by British Trade International.
  • The Department is searching records from 2001 when Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor took up his Special Representative for Trade and Investment role.
  • Machinery-of-government changes include the formation of UK Trade & Investment in 2003, merger into the Department for International Trade in 2016, and creation of the Department for Business and Trade in 2023.
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