Andy commissions air miles audit

Prince Andrew has never seemed greatly bothered about his public approval rating. Until now. Seemingly riled by the "Air Miles Andy" gibes in the media - a reference to his love of jetting off first class to foreign places, usually those with fine ski slopes, golf courses or beaches - he's striking back. The Prince, who, of course, undertakes these junkets and jollies in his capacity as Britain's roving trade ambassador, has commissioned the accountancy firm Price Waterhouse Coopers to conduct an audit on the work he does to promote the UK's interests overseas. The official reason for this is so Andy, whose trade envoy role is funded by the Queen, can measure how successful he is and how his performance might be improved. Unofficially, it's seen as an exercise in self vindication, a way of getting the press to focus on the positive side of hiswork. Will the report work due to be completed in June, work in his favour? It might do, especially as he is paying for it himself.