Police assessing emails suggesting Andrew planned business with Epstein while serving as trade envoy

ITV News understands that this is the first mention of the proposed commercial entity between the former royal and the convicted sex offender, UK Editor Paul Brand reports

By Content Editor Sophia Ankel

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor appears to have been attempting to build a business partnership with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein while he was still acting as trade envoy, according to documents released under the Epstein files.

ITV News has discovered more than a dozen emails which show ongoing discussions between Epstein, Andrew, and a mutual liaison called David Stern, who used to run Andrew’s Pitch@Palace business.

More than a dozen emails, found in the latest Epstein files, show ongoing discussions between Epstein, Andrew, and a mutual liaison called David Stern, who used to run Andrew’s Pitch@Palace business.

The emails range from early 2010 to at least 2018, overlapping with Andrew’s time as trade envoy to the prime minister — a role that would have seen him promoting British business and trade interests abroad.

The former prince appears to have used his trade envoy trips to Asia to set up meetings for his proposed business venture, which could have seen him profit personally.

In one email, dated May 17, 2010, Andrew tells Mr Stern he is on official business in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and “having a series of discussions re The Green Park Group (GPG).”

He says he “would be delighted to further discussions, especially as I know you will have spoken to the GURU,” referring to Epstein.

“It might be that he and you are the Ghost for me in the upside of this entity,” Andrew adds. Stern forwards the email to Epstein.

ITV News understands that this is the first mention of the proposed commercial entity between the former royal and the sex offender.

The business has its name changed multiple times: appearing to be called the Green Park, to the Serpentine Group — Andrew’s suggestion — then to Asia Gateway, before finally becoming Witan Holdings.

Another email sent from Stern to Epstein several months later — on July 24, 2010 — appears to lay out the plan for this supposed joint venture: “We set up small investment highly private office in London with small outpost in Beijing, for high net worth individuals - targeting Chinese (but not exclusively) that works like an extended family office".

“We very discreetly make PA part of it and use his ‘aura and access’”, Stern says, adding that Epstein should “decide on the investments” while he would “manage the day-to-day operations” in Beijing and London.

In another 2010 email exchange, Andrew appears to encourage Stern to send a formal letter "inviting" him to engage with their business.

Stern drafted two versions of the letter — the first as ‘Serpentine Group’, before being instructed by Epstein to send it under the name ‘Asia Gateway’.

It is unclear what the strategy behind this is, but the email raises questions as to why Andrew was pre-approving letters to himself from his secret partners.

The documents show a number of meetings took place between the former prince and Chinese financial corporations while the friends were discussing Witan Holdings — before Andrew eventually stood down as trade envoy in July 2011.

As a trade envoy, Andrew would not have been paid, acting in the public interest rather than for personal gain. Anyone in the role must declare any personal or business interest that could be perceived to influence their judgement.

Failing to do so would constitute a conflict of interest, misconduct in office, or, in some cases, criminal fraud.

When presented with ITV News' findings, Thames Valley Police Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright told ITV News: “We are assessing the information in line with our established procedures.”

ITV News’ reporting comes after police said earlier this week that it was already investigating claims that the former prince allegedly shared confidential reports from his role as trade envoy with Epstein.

Andrew has previously vehemently denied any wrongdoing.

ITV News contacted Andrew and Stern for comment. We are yet to receive a response.

Stern, a German native who was fluent in Mandarin, appeared to have had a very trusting relationship with Epstein, constantly asking him for business advice and updating him on his movements in the palace, with Andrew and also Sarah Ferguson.

He also became a trusted figure to the former prince, increasingly joining him on official and private business trips. In one email, Stern reassures Epstein: “I stay in the background/hidden, just make the arrangements.”

This relationship goes on for years. In October, 2011, Stern tells the convicted sex offender that Andrew was “chartering his own plane", adding: “He wants to take me with him. My name will be on the flight-records etc. I feel it is safer to fly separately. Do you agree?”

This relationship appears to have continued for much longer, with Stern telling Epstein in 2014 that he was going to China with Andrew — “have organised private trip, 8 days, 4 cities.” In 2018, he simply writes Epstein: "In Tokyo with PA".

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