Kemi Badenoch says she’s still a monarchist despite Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor scandal and royal family is in ‘very difficult’ position
Kemi Badenoch has praised the royal family for their response to the scandal surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and said they are in a “very difficult” situation.
In an interview with IndependentThe Conservative Party leader, who describes himself as a monarchist, also said the King had led the issue “in an exemplary manner”.
Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested last week and later released under investigation on suspicion of abuse of public office. The Crown has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The revelations in the so-called Epstein files follow allegations that Mr Mountbatten Windsor shared sensitive information with disgraced pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as Britain’s trade envoy.
Ms Badenoch said: “I think what the King said is right; the law must take its course.”
While praising the King, he criticized Sir Keir Starmer’s response to allegations about Labor ambassador Peter Mandelson and his links to Epstein.
“If you can compare the King’s behavior to something that affects his family, his own brother, you get full transparency,” he said.
“On the government side, documents are being withheld (and) saying what a great man Peter Madelson is, as did the prime minister when I was first confronted with these allegations six months ago.”
He added: “I think it is very sad what has happened to the royal family. I think it has caused serious damage to Prince Andrew’s reputation and I think he should be punished where wrong has been proven.”
“But I’m also a monarchist. I think we have a wonderful royal family. I think Her Majesty is leading this in an exemplary way. And I support the family in general. I think they’re in a very difficult situation and people shouldn’t forget the human side of this.”
The government is considering legislation to disinherit the disgraced royal, who is now eighth in line to the throne, after a police investigation concludes.
A group of MPs are also considering launching a parliamentary inquiry into the role of UK trade envoys following the allegations. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has been stripped of his royal titles amid the ongoing scandal over his friendship with Epstein.
In 2022, it paid a reported £12 million to settle a civil sexual assault lawsuit brought by Virgina Giuffre, who said she was kidnapped by Epstein and forced to sleep with the royal family three times. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
On Monday, Lord Mandelson was also arrested on suspicion of abuse of public office. The former Labor minister is accused of passing sensitive information to Epstein while he was business secretary in Gordon Borwn’s government.
Two of his properties had previously been searched by police in connection with the allegations, which emerged after the US Department of Justice released documents known as the Epstein files last month.
