Cabinet Office accused of cover-up after accidental release of historical Andrew documents

Travel expenses of former Duke of York were withheld from National Archives

Documents relating to the death of Diana, Princess of Wales and an apology from John Major’s office after an official birthday telegram to the Queen Mother was addressed in an “improper manner” were also part of the released files to the National Archives.

No 10 minutes from 2004 and 2005 on royal visits were also part of these documents, which are made available to media in advance under embargo.

Subsequently they were withdrawn, as the Cabinet Office blamed an “administrative error” as they had never been intended for release.

As seen by journalists before they were pulled, the minutes appear unremarkable and include a note that a change in rules could mean that costs for the then Prince Andrew as a UK trade envoy would be funded by the Royal Travel Office, rather than the former Department of Trade and Industry, adding £90,000 to its budget.

Visits discussed were to China, Russia, south-east Asia and Spain.

Files relating to the royal family are routinely withheld from release under the Public Records Act, which is underlined by the retention of the minutes.

According to chief executive of anti-monarchy campaign group Republic, Graham Smith, there should be no royal exemption at all.

He said that “the most likely reason for this attempt to stop disclosure is pressure from the palace. The royals have sought to keep everything under wraps when it comes to Andrew, not to protect him but to protect themselves”.