PRINCE ANDREW AND AZERBAIJAN

That this House is surprised by the statement made by a spokesman for Prince Andrew that he continues to play a role, at the request of the Government, in helping trade relations between the UK and Azerbaijan; notes that the Prince has visited the loathsome, anti-democratic, election-rigging, oppressive President Aliyev eight times in the past five years; recalls that the Prince visited Azerbaijan in 2009 at a total cost to the taxpayer of 60,000; agrees with the comment by UK Director of Human RightsWatch that the Prince is making the UK `look stupid' by appearing to endorse unethical business practices that damage the UK's standing in international trade; and believes that the best service Prince Andrew could provide to the nation is a period of inactivity in respect of relations with Azerbaijan.