Scandal Unveiled: Prince Andrew's Shady Ties to Controversial PPE Tycoon

Prince Andrew’s business dealings have come under fire following revelations that one of his key ventures, Pitch@Palace Global, was administered by the contentious businessman Doug Barrowman. This association raises eyebrows particularly in light of Barrowman’s controversial background, notably his past with PPE Medpro, a firm linked to significant government contracts during the COVID pandemic.

The BBC uncovered that after Andrew’s damaging 2019 Newsnight interview, where he faced scrutiny regarding his connection to the late Jeffrey Epstein, ownership of Pitch@Palace was transferred to a firm controlled by Barrowman, known as Knox House Trustees (UK). Although Pitch@Palace officially remained under Andrew’s control, its operations were sustained through a series of nominee arrangements, a common practice among royals to obscure direct ownership.

As financial tensions arose after King Charles cut off Andrew’s access to royal funds, questions about his sources of income heightened. The dubious nature of his business partners has continually cast a shadow over his financial conduct. His previous connections with Yang Tengbo, who was accused of espionage, and now with Barrowman, suggest a troubling pattern. Barrowman himself faced an investigation by HMRC for promoting tax avoidance schemes and has been linked to questionable dealings involving PPE contracts, which have drawn the interest of the National Crime Agency.

Critics, including biographer Andrew Lownie, assert that there is a pressing need for a thorough investigation into Andrew’s financial activities, particularly given his history of hiding dealings through offshore accounts and questionable associates.

Pitch@Palace, founded in 2014 to aid entrepreneurs, had both UK and international segments. However, both arms suspended operations following the public fallout from Andrew’s association with Epstein. Despite these setbacks, there are ongoing discussions around the potential value of his international dealings, emphasizing the complexity of royal finances.

Moreover, recent developments reveal that the firm controlling Pitch@Palace was shifted to Arthur Lancaster in 2023, who has a problematic legal history involving a tax evasion case. His past has resulted in critical statements regarding his reliability as a witness, stirring doubts about his stewardship of company accounts.

In summary, Prince Andrew’s business maneuvers, especially regarding Pitch@Palace Global and its connections with Barrowman, encapsulate a troubling narrative of financial mystery, royal privilege, and potential impropriety, all of which call for intense public scrutiny and a potential investigative response.