Prince Andrew criticized for time spent abroad - CTV.ca

Britain's Prince Andrew has been slammed spent more time abroad since stepping down from his trade envoy role than he did as holder of the post.

The Duke of York - who gave up his role as Special Representative for UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) in July to focus on matters closer to home - has been urged to "drastically cut back" after it emerged he has spent 28 days abroad, visiting Saudi Arabia, Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, covering more than 40,800 miles, in the time since leaving the post.

In the same period last year he spent 22 nights abroad, flying about 29,500 miles, meaning his total travel expenses this year could exceed the £358,763 bill he clocked up in 2010-11.

Andrew's trips this year - which are funded by tax payers - included spending £40,000 to charter a private jet to fly from Farnborough, Hampshire, England, to Saudi Arabia in September.

John O'Connell, the research director of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: "Taxpayers will wonder why they are paying even more for Prince Andrew's jet-set lifestyle now that he has quit as trade commissioner.

"Many wondered whether the prince was providing value for money before he quit, it's shocking that he's costing even more now despite not having a formal role in representing the country on trade issues.

"It's time the prince drastically cut back on his foreign jaunts at taxpayers' expense."

UKTI insist Andrew always intended to continue to promote British business overseas even after leaving his role.

Their spokesperson said: "When the duke stood down as Special Representative for Trade and Investment it was always the intention that he would continue to work with the government to promote British trade and investment overseas, and the recent trips are evidence of that."

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace said the trips had been arranged before Andrew decided to step down.