Officials feared that “arrogant” Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor “would do damage” to Britain’s reputation whilst serving as a trade envoy , a Liberal Democrat MP has claimed.

Monica Harding told the Commons that the former prince remained in his post for 10 years despite having a “reputation that preceded him”, whilst concerns were “met with a shrug.”

Her remarks came as ministers agreed to release documents relating to the royal’s appointment to the envoy role, following his release under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office last week.

Prior to entering politics, Ms Harding served as director of communications at the British Council, which Andrew visited in his capacity as a trade envoy.

“Before his arrival, senior staff in both the embassy and the British Council were rolling their eyes – his reputation preceded him,” the MP for Esher and Walton said.

“I was told it was a containment exercise, that overseas missions feared putting him out there in case he said something inappropriate, that he was arrogant and that he wasn’t on top of the detail of his brief.

“Rather than looking forward to his visit as an opportunity to play up Britain, instead, it was thought that he would do damage.”

She further alleged that the former prince “smeared” the work of British scientists on Dolly the sheep, the first cloned mammal, dismissing it as “rubbish” at an exhibition she had organised.

One staff member felt “deflated and didn’t understand why this representative of the British state diminished what she was rightly proud of”, Ms Harding said.

The former Duke of York stands accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein whilst serving as a special representative for trade and investment between 2001 and 2011.

He was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office last week, before being released pending further investigation.

Speaking in the Commons, trade minister Sir Chris Bryant described Andrew as “a man on a constant self-aggrandising and self-enriching hustle”, and “a rude, arrogant and entitled man who could not distinguish between the public interest, which he said he served, and his own private interest.”

He recounted Andrew’s visit to the Sea Cadets in Tonypandy, in Rhondda Cynon Taf.

“They were absolutely delighted and excited to meet a member of the royal family,” Sir Chris said.

“But he insisted on coming by helicopter, unlike his mother, who came twice to the Rhondda and always came by car. He left early and he showed next to no interest in the young people.”