Andrew facing claim he shared Treasury document with banking contact

Jonathan Rowland told the BBC he had "no idea" about the reference to him in the emails - and that the emails quoted are from legal proceedings from some time ago.

The Cabinet Office said it would not comment, but is not disputing the authenticity of the emails.

A spokesman for the Cabinet Office referred to Thames Valley Police's current position, in which they are assessing whether to launch an investigation into possible misconduct in public office.

On Friday night, the Times reported that police had held informal discussions with the government about emails and documents relating to the former prince and Epstein, before a potential criminal investigation.

Government sources told the BBC that they weren't aware of any discussions, but would not be surprised if a conversation had happened between civil servants and police.

Others in government would not comment.

"We will hand over what is requested of us on Andrew front," one source said.

Emails from the Epstein files suggested that Mountbatten-Windsor had forwarded official documents to Jeffrey Epstein, such as reports from overseas trade trips to south east Asia and a briefing by UK officials on investment in Afghanistan, described by the former prince as "confidential".

The information from the Treasury requested by Mountbatten-Windsor, via his adviser, was "an update note on the latest position between the UK and Iceland on the matter of the deposits and the deposit guarantee scheme", according to emails published by the Telegraph.

This was at a time when Iceland's banking sector faced problems, after three large banks based there got into severe difficulties, following the 2008 financial crisis, and had to be nationalised.

In 2010, there was a dispute between Iceland and the UK over whether Iceland should contribute to compensating UK depositors in the failed Icelandic banks.

Soon after receiving the information from the Treasury, the briefing was forwarded to Jonathan Rowland.

"I pass this on to you for comment and a suggestion or solution?" wrote Mountbatten-Windsor.

"The essence is that Amanda is getting signals that we should allow the democratic process [to] happen before you make your move. Interested in your opinion? A."

Jonathan Rowland's father David took over the Luxembourg part of the largest Icelandic bank, Kaupthing, which became Banque Havilland.

Jonathan Rowland was chief executive of Banque Havilland. He left in 2013.