A CORRUPTION investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s time as trade envoy should be launched, a former business secretary demands.

Sir Vince Cable called the royal’s behaviour while he served in the role “totally unacceptable” after the US Department of Justice released a massive trove of documents relating to Jeffrey Epstein.

Earlier this month, the so-called Epstein files revealed new details pertaining to the relationship between the former prince and the late financier and notorious paedophile.

“We need a police or DPP (director of public prosecutions) check on whether criminal corruption took place and a government investigation into how this was allowed to happen,” Sir Vince told the BBC.

Andrew served as trade envoy between 2001 and 2011, which overlapped with Sir Vince’s time as business secretary between 2010 and 2015.

The US Justice Department files showed Andrew’s official visits to Hong Kong, Vietnam and Singapore with Epstein, whose trafficking operations were known to be worldwide.

On Wednesday, Thames Valley Police said they held discussions with Crown Prosecution Service specialists about allegations that the former Duke of York shared confidential reports.

The force said it was “making progress as quickly as possible” but said it could not “provide timescales over when a decision as to whether a criminal investigation will be opened.”

Assistant Chief Constable Oliver Wright said the force was leading the assessment relating to allegations relating to misconduct in public office, related to information released in the Epstein files.

Head of the Commons women and equalities committee, Labour MP Sarah Owen, called for Andrew to answer questions from the police and Parliament over allegations.

Charles Windsor shared his “profound concern” over misconduct allegations against Andrew, with Buckingham Palace saying it will “stand ready to support” the police.