Inquiry into Andrew’s links to Jeffrey Epstein is matter for MPs, says No 10 | UK news
The parliamentary inquiry into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Jeffrey Epstein is a matter for MPs, Downing Street said, as ministers face fresh pressure to reveal details about the former prince’s role as trade envoy.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese has written to Keir Starmer saying his country would have no objection to Mountbatten-Windsor being removed from the royal line of succession. Later, a spokesman for New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon said his country would also support the proposals.
No 10 said “nothing has been ruled out” in terms of succession; This would require an act of parliament as well as the agreement of all 14 Commonwealth territories with King Charles as head of state.
Following Andrew’s arrest last week on suspicion of misconduct in public office, new details have emerged about his actions as an unpaid trade ambassador from 2001 to 2011 and his ties to late financier and child sex offender Epstein.
Conservative MP and former security minister Tom Tugendhat said at the weekend that parliament should examine Mountbatten-Windsor’s links to Epstein, as well as Britain’s former ambassador to the US, Peter Mandelson, who was arrested on Monday evening on suspicion of abuse of public office.
Asked earlier whether such an investigation would take place, Starmer’s official spokesman said: “This is a matter for parliament, not the government; we must be mindful of the ongoing investigation in this case and it is right that the police investigation runs its course.”
On Tuesday the Liberal Democrats plan to hold an opposition day debate to find out more about the trade ambassador position. One option would be to use a modest address motion to secure the release of official documents, as the Conservatives did successfully in the appointment of Mandelson as ambassador.
“There are important questions the government needs to answer about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s role as trade envoy and how he was able to act with impunity. The Liberal Democrats will use our dissent day to clarify this debate,” a Liberal Democrats spokesman said, without elaborating on what that might involve.
“Parliament cannot be expected to look the other way. We must be able to discuss this fully, without fear or favor, without undermining the ongoing police investigation.”
Changing the line of succession is likely to take time, given the need for approval from all 14 Commonwealth countries. Although Andrew has given up his royal titles, he remains eighth in line to the throne.
In his letter to Starmer, Albanese wrote: “In light of recent events regarding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I write to confirm that my government will accept any proposal to remove him from the royal line of succession.
“I agree with Her Majesty that the law must now be fully operational and there must be a full, fair and appropriate investigation. These are serious allegations and Australians are taking them seriously.”
Asked what happens next, Starmer’s spokesman said: “We are assessing whether further action is necessary in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and are not ruling out anything, but given the ongoing police investigation it would be inappropriate for the government to comment further at this stage.”
