Britain's Prince Andrew

Britain's Prince Andrew

Britain's Prince Andrew has been urged to skip official engagements by MPs.

The Duke of York has become embroiled in controversy recently after a woman claimed she was forced to have intercourse with him when she was underage, and British MPs have now called for him not to attend a UK reception at the World Economic Forum due to the allegations.

The event for British exporters is due to take place in Davos, Switzerland, next week, but critics say it should focus on the hard work of UK firms, and not that of the Duke's private life.

Three Labour members of a House of Commons business committee are reported to be concerned the prince could prove to be a distraction at the event, while Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker called for the 54-year-old royal to "keep a low profile".

He said: "I think it would be helpful if he wasn't going because of the furore which is surrounding him at the present time, which may well be very unfair."

The allegations - which Buckingham Palace has denounced as "categorically untrue" and lacking "any foundation" - have shocked the MP, who said greater royal transparency is needed, and suggested the father of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie could provide a negative representation of Britain.

He told the BBC: "I don't know and nobody does know [if they are true]. But I certainly think when we represent our country abroad, whoever we are, we have to bear in mind how that will be received at any particular point."

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