Prince Andrew's trade envoy status to be downgraded?

Britain's Prince Andrew is to have his status as a UK special trade envoy downgraded.

Concern has been growing about the prince - Queen Elizabeth's second son - after he was linked to a number of reportedly questionable businessmen, including US billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, who has previously been in prison for soliciting an underage girl for prostitution.

An anonymous minister has confirmed it is likely he will have his role on behalf of the government body, UK Trade & Investment reduced but will not be removed completely.

The minister told The Guardian newspaper: "The gas can be turned up and the gas can be turned down. The royals go on, that is what they do."

It is also reported Epstein helped to pay off debts owed by Prince Andrew's ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

However, Britain's Foreign Secretary William Hague has defended Andrew and suggested the 51-year-old royal has done positive things for the UK in the past.

He said: "I've seen a lot of benefits that he has brought in countries that I have visited where he's been performing that role.

"I've seen around the world a lot of good that he has done for this country."