To the Commons, where Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) has just wrapped up. The focus on Prince Andrew continues – and today Sir Keir Starmer agreed with Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey that the royal should be probed by MPs over the revelations about his Royal Lodge rent. Uh oh…
Davey addressed the fact that Prince Andrew has not paid rent on his Windsor mansion for two decades, asking Starmer:
Does the Prime Minister agree that this House needs to properly scrutinise the Crown Estate to ensure taxpayers interests are protected? The Chancellor has said that the current arrangements are wrong. So will the Prime Minister support a select committee inquiry so all those involved can be called for evidence, including the current occupant, Prime Minister?
The Labour leader voiced his agreement, telling Davey: ‘It’s important in relation to all properties, Crown properties, that there is proper scrutiny. I certainly support that.’
Steerpike pointed to the growing number of MPs attacking Prince Andrew over his links to US paedophile Jeffrey Epstein – taking aim at his Royal Lodge rent and titles – on Tuesday. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn has lodged a parliamentary motion that could force the PM to strip Andrew of his dukedom while York Central MP Rachael Maskell is introducing a bill intended to give King Charles the power to remove Andrew’s titles. And now Starmer has backed an inquiry into the prince’s peppercorn rent. The scrutiny is only intensifying…
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