Just find him a new role: Former ambassador

The Duke of York, Prince Andrew. Photo / AP

The scrutiny of the Duke of York's business links is seriously damaging Britain's reputation abroad, a retired ambassador has warned the Government.

Stephen Day, a former ambassador to Tunisia and Qatar, spelt out his fears over the Duke's position as a trade envoy in a letter to William Hague, the Foreign Secretary.

He wrote in the letter, leaked to the Daily Telegraph: "It takes a lot to bring former British ambassadors to criticise a member of the royal family in public but it is surely now recognised that the Duke's activities are doing such serious damage to the royal family itself and to Britain's political, diplomatic and commercial interests that an entirely new role should be found for him as soon as possible."

Day yesterday confirmed he wrote the letter, saying: "I did not call for him to be sacked. I don't know what his job is."

- INDEPENDENT