A spokesman for the Prime Minister has revealed that David Cameron has full confidence in Prince Andrew in his role as UK trade envoy.

The comment comes after the Business Secretary, Vince Cable, said the prince would have to make a decision over continuing with the role.

However the Prime Minster's spokesman declared that his position was not being reviewed "in any way".

He added: "The Government's position is very clear: that we support him in his role as trade envoy.

"He has made a very important contribution to UK trade through the role and continues to do so. We think he makes a valuable contribution and so does British business."

In an earlier meeting, Mr Cable said: "He is a volunteer, he has offered to perform these roles, and I think it is down to him essentially to judge the position he wants to be in."

He continued: "He is not a Government employee. He is not somebody who is appointed and sacked.”

Prince Andrew is under further pressure after news was released over his connections with Jeffrey Epstein.

The American billionaire was sentenced to 18 months in prison in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution and has been accused of other sex offences.

It is estimated that the British taxpayer, over the last decade, has spent around £4million funding Prince Andrew's work.

Labour former Foreign Office Minister Chris Bryant said: "I think we should be dispensing with his services. I think the charge list now against him is so long that he is a bit of an embarrassment.

"I just can't imagine the next time it is proposed that he goes to a foreign country what the ambassador would think."

(BMcN/GK)