Sir Keir Starmer has called for MPs to interrogate Prince Andrew over the controversial rental agreement for the Royal Lodge, a lavish property where the disgraced royal has not paid rent for over two decades, reports BritPanorama.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has backed calls for a Commons select committee investigation into the Prince’s unusually lengthy and affordable lease, which spans 75 years.
Despite being granted a 30-room residence, Andrew has largely neglected to cover basic expenses, such as water rates, as households across the UK contend with escalating bills. Andrew’s reluctance to contribute financially is in stark contrast to the situation faced by ordinary citizens.
Starmer emphasized the necessity for transparent oversight of Crown properties, stating, “It’s important in relation to all properties, Crown properties, that there is proper scrutiny so I certainly support that.” His comments came during Prime Minister’s Questions when asked whether Andrew should face parliamentary scrutiny.
In addition to these developments, new legislation is slated for introduction today that may enable King Charles to remove Andrew’s dukedom. It was disclosed last week that Andrew will cease using the Duke of York title to avoid overshadowing royal duties, but an official legal amendment is required to revoke it completely.
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, is advocating for the proposed Removal of Titles Bill, asserting, “It is time for Parliament to act so that it can, or the monarch can, remove titles.” She pointed out that while Andrew has stopped using the title, it has not been formally rescinded.
Financial Strain and Lease Obligations
Prince Andrew faced financial cuts from King Charles last year but reportedly inherited significant sums following Queen Elizabeth II’s death. However, sources indicate that he is struggling under the weight of substantial maintenance costs associated with Royal Lodge, leading to claims of financial hardship. An insider noted, “Andrew would have received millions of pounds from his mother when she died, but he really doesn’t feel like he has as much money as people think he does.”
The terms of his lease require routine upkeep, including painting the exterior every seven years and maintaining the 100-acre grounds, which must be kept “clean and tidy and free from weeds.” These stipulations, alongside the necessity to conduct maintenance to the “Landlord’s satisfaction,” further compound his financial challenges.
Despite pressure from King Charles to vacate the property amidst ongoing controversy linked to Andrew’s association with Virginia Giuffre, he remains defiant. Some commentators have referred to the situation as the “Siege of Royal Lodge.”
Protests have erupted outside the estate, with demonstrators showcasing banners urging for a probe into royal finances. Calls have intensified for the National Audit Office to review lease agreements for the first time since 2005, alongside demands for the independent Crown Estate to either terminate or renegotiate Andrew’s lease.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick criticized government support for Andrew, asserting, “I don’t think the taxpayer should in any way be footing the bill for him to live in luxury homes ever again. He shouldn’t have any taxpayer subsidies going forward.” He further stated, “It’s about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private and make his own way in life. He has disgraced himself.”
In response to the mounting scrutiny, Downing Street maintained that the arrangement with the Crown Estate was “appropriate.” However, Liberal Democrat MP Lisa Smart lambasted Andrew’s continued presence, claiming, “The longer this whole sorry saga goes on, the more his presence in public life is an insult and increasingly an embarrassment.”
Should Andrew choose to relinquish his tenancy prior to its conclusion in 2078, he could potentially collect over £500,000 in compensation. Labour MP Dame Meg Hillier indicated that her Public Accounts Committee could investigate this ongoing scandal, emphasizing the need for parliamentary oversight regarding financial matters linked to public funds.
Smart encapsulated the sentiment, stating, “Where money flows, particularly where taxpayers’ money is involved, Parliament has a responsibility to have a light shine upon that, and we need to have answers.”
Momentum continues to build among MPs advocating for legislation to formally strip Andrew of his dukedom.
