A former head of royal protection has demanded any inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with Jeffrey Epstein be pursued at the highest level. Dai Davies who was head of Scotland Yard’s Royal Protection Command from 1994 to 1998 believes that an independent inquiry is required to establish the facts around Epstein’s relationships with some of the most powerful people in the world.

Andrew, who was arrested on his 66th birthday on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in a public office, has always strongly denied any wrongdoing. He has not been charged with any offences by police. 

He told the Mirror:“For too long the establishment has taken us, the public, for fools. The truth, warts and all, must come out.” He added: “We need a judge-led independent inquiry to investigate everything and get answers. “It needs to have the power to call people at all levels, including people from the Palace, diplomats, private secretaries and press officers to find out exactly who knew what and when.”

Mr Davies believes that the Hillsborough Law, a piece of legislation proposed by the Labour government that would place a duty upon officials to be transparent and accountable, could aid any future investigation.

He added: “The Hillsborough Law needs to be applied to make sure they are all called to tell the truth. I believe there has been a conspiracy of silence at all levels.”

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran said: “We want an independent public inquiry to really get to the bottom of what all parts of our state knew. What did the police know? What did the Palace know? What did government know? What did Number 10 know at what stage?

“This is critically important. This goes beyond the Crown. It goes right to the heart of the relationship ­between the establishment and elites. Transparency is the way to do this. We need to get to the bottom of all of it, not just Andrew.”

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It comes as an influential group of MPs plan to meet to consider launching a parliamentary probe into the role of UK trade envoys after Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office, it is understood.

The Business and Trade Committee will discuss its options on Tuesday amid the police investigation after allegations were made against the former prince following the release of files related to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Any inquiry would start by focusing on potential governance issues within the wider system and lessons to be learned, avoiding specific commentary on Andrew until there is no risk of prejudicing criminal proceedings, the Press Association understands.

MPs will also consider looking at the appointment and accountability of UK trade envoys more broadly.

Andrew’s 10-year stint in the role generated a great deal of controversy.

Dubbed “Air Miles Andy” amid criticism of his globe-trotting, he was accused of over-using helicopters at taxpayers’ expense, in particular to attend golf-related dinners as a member of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.

As a roving ambassador, one of his first tasks was a post-September 11 trip to New York, but Andrew faced a backlash for attending a party during his stay.

His relations with Timor Kulibayev, son-in-law of the president of Kazakhstan, were scrutinised after Mr Kulibayev purchased the former duke’s Sunninghill Park home for £3 million more than its £12 million asking price in 2007.

And he also faced questions over his connections to politicians in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Libya and Turkmenistan.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his links to Epstein, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.