Downing Street dismisses calls for MPs to get time to debate Prince Andrew
Downing Street appeared to reject the idea of MPs making time for a Commons debate on Prince Andrew; The prime minister’s spokesman said the royal family “will not want to devote time” to other parliamentary business.
Pressure is mounting on the king’s brother over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his rent-free mansion in Windsor.
On Wednesday Sir Keir Starmer said he would support “appropriate review” of Crown Estate regulations, but on Thursday Downing Street suggested the government did not plan to give MPs time to debate the issue.
Asked whether the government would take its time, a Number 10 spokesman said: “Prince Andrew has already confirmed he will not be using his titles.
“We support the decision taken by the Royal Family and know that the royal family will not want to devote time to other important matters.”
“There are ways for the House to consider the issue properly,” House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said on Thursday.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked earlier this week whether the Prime Minister believed that “given the revelations about the Crown Lodge” MPs “should properly scrutinize the Crown Estate to ensure taxpayers’ interests are protected”.
Andrew has lived on a peppercorn rent at Royal Lodge in Windsor since 2003, but paid £1 million for the rent and a further £7.5 million for the renovation.
Meanwhile, 26 MPs have signed a motion calling on the government to “take legal steps to remove the dukedom granted to Prince Andrew”.
Addressing MPs on Thursday, Sir Lindsay said: “I know there have been some comments about what members of this House can and cannot discuss in the chamber in relation to the Prince. AndrewSome of these are incorrect.
“There is understandably a great deal of interest in this issue from Members and the public. I would like to be clear, in the interest of the House, that there are ways for the House to deal with this issue properly.
“Any debate about the behavior or opinions of members of the royal family can be properly debated on their main motion. And I know that some members have already tabled such a motion. I cannot take the time to debate such a motion, but others can do so, if they wish.”
Substantive motions can be tabled by the Government, opposition parties in opposition day debates and backbenchers through application to the Backbench Business Committee.
