Andrew hit with overwhelming backlash – Britons are crystal clear what | Politics | News

82 percent of the public want Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the succession. MPs reiterated the survey’s verdict, while the government said it would consider changing the law once the police investigation into the detained former prince is completed. Although he has been stripped of his titles, he is eighth in line to the throne.

Detectives investigating allegations of misconduct in public office said searches at the former Windsor home will continue until Monday. The King’s younger brother, who spent much of his 66th birthday in custody on Thursday in custody, has always denied any allegations of wrongdoing over his links to the late pedophile businessman Jeffrey Epstein.

Pressure is mounting for Sir Keir Starmer to act, with calls for Parliament to halt any chance – no matter how remote – of the disgraced royal. MPs from across the political spectrum demanded decisive action.

The YouGov poll, conducted after Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested at his temporary home on the Sandringham estate, found 82% of 7,242 adults asked wanted him removed as a potential successor. Only 6% thought he should stay, while 12% said they didn’t know.

Charles would not oppose any move to change the succession in this way, but this would require Parliament to pass legislation. Any changes would require approval from other countries where he is King, such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Chief Secretary to the Treasury James Murray told Sky News: “The Government is considering further steps that may be necessary and we are not ruling out anything. But at this stage it would be inappropriate for us to go any further as a live police investigation is ongoing.”

Labor MP Rachael Maskell said yesterday: “I would support legislation to remove Andrew from probate.” He also wants him removed from the post of State Counselor, a position held by senior royals who may be required to act on behalf of the monarch.
Ms Maskell said that “while investigations are ongoing, there is clearly worrying evidence suggesting that he handled confidential information and contacts, including on victims and victims of sexual abuse”.

Carolyn Harris MP, deputy leader of the Welsh Labor Party, said: “Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s position is untenable. He is an embarrassment to HRH, the Royal Family and the country.” “We respect our royals,” but added that Mountbatten-Windsor “has been a disaster for our country for years.”

Labor MP Tonia Antoniazzi, who leads a cross-party group on tackling sexual abuse, was asked whether she should be sacked and replied: “Yes, it should be.”

Shadow Scotland Secretary Tory MP Andrew Bowie said: “If he is found guilty of this, I think Parliament will have the right to take action to disinherit him. But let’s also remember, he hasn’t been found guilty of anything yet; he hasn’t been charged with anything yet.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “The most important thing now is that the police are allowed to continue their work.
“But clearly this is a matter for Parliament to consider in due course; naturally the monarchy will want to make sure he can never become King.”

Mountbatten-Windsor, the first senior royal to be arrested in modern times, was held by Thames Valley Police for nearly 11 hours before being released under investigation and returned to Wood Farm after being interviewed, appearing disturbed and in shock.
The five-bedroom house was used by her late father, Prince Philip, in his retirement.

It is understood the Crown Prosecution Service has not yet provided “early investigation advice” to police. Yesterday, a helicopter circled the Royal Lodge in Windsor as pickup trucks thought to be police vehicles entered the grounds. Mountbatten-Windsor was suspected of sharing sensitive information with Epstein while he was UK trade envoy.

He has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. The King and Buckingham Palace were not warned before his arrest, but Charles later issued an unprecedented statement backed by the Prince and Princess of Wales, saying: “The law must take its course.”

The King added that the police investigation has “our full and wholehearted support and cooperation”. Nine forces are examining Epstein’s ties to the UK, including allegations linked to Mountbatten-Windsor.

The CPS says misconduct in public office is defined as “serious willful abuse or neglect of the powers or responsibilities of held public office” and that the maximum penalty on conviction carries a life sentence.

Mountbatten-Windsor was appointed special representative for international trade and investment in 2001, but resigned in 2011 amid outrage over her friendship with Epstein, who was found dead in a New York prison cell in 2019. The king stripped Mountbatten-Windsor of her royal titles in October, but No10 said there were no plans for legislation to change the line of succession at the time.

The former Duke of York is behind the Prince of Wales, followed by his children George, 12, Charlotte, 10, and Louis, 7, followed by the Duke of Sussex and his children Archie, 6, and Lilibet, 4. Legislation to replace this roster is complex and also requires approval from all 14 Commonwealth territories.

The monarchy now faces one of its biggest crises since the death of Princess Diana in 1997 and the abdication in 1936 of Edward VIII, who abdicated to marry US divorcee Wallis Simpson.

Royal writer Robert Hardman suggested that the King could take direct action if Mountbatten-Windsor was charged and convicted. He said: “Once this is all over, there are still a lot of things he can do… I would say one of them would be to remove his brother from the line of succession.”

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said yesterday that Parliament should wait for the police investigation to conclude.