MPs call for parliament to consider removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from line of succession | Monarchy
MPs have called on parliament to consider whether Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could lose his potential right to inherit the throne following his arrest.
Andrew was arrested and questioned by detectives on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office in connection with allegations that the former prince shared classified material with Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew remains in eighth place She succeeded Prince William, Harry and their children to the throne, although she renounced her royal titles in October after new information emerged about her links to late financier and child sex offender Epstein.
This means Andrew is still state advisorThe group of adult royals who could be chosen to replace King Charles if he were ill or abroad was used, even though in practice this would never happen for him, as only working royals were used.
The Liberal Democrats called for the matter to be considered on Friday. “The most important thing now is that the police are allowed to continue their work, acting without fear or favor,” Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said in a statement.
“But clearly this is a matter for parliament to consider in due course; naturally the Monarchy will want to make sure he never becomes king.”
Andrew Bowie, the Conservatives’ shadow Scotland secretary, made a similar claim, telling GB News it would be “the right thing” for Andrew to be sacked.
Bowie said: “Of course, if he was found guilty of this, I think parliament would have the right to take action to remove him from the succession.
“But let’s not forget that he has not yet been found guilty of any crime; he has not yet been charged with any crime. So we should let the police investigation take its course and I think from now on we should all act accordingly.”
Rachael Maskell, who represents York Central among Labor MPs, said it looked likely parliament would need to take action.
“It is clear from the evidence already publicly available that his position as state counselor and holder of probate rights and all of his titles have been removed,” he said.
“I believe legislation can be introduced to achieve this. I am pleased that the King is trying to help as much as he can and providing support to parliament to take action will help this.”
The SNP’s Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, also called for action to eliminate the risk of Andrew becoming head of state, while Labor MP Richard Burgon called for an independent investigation into what the wider royal family knew about Andrew’s links to Epstein, adding: “It’s time for a serious national debate on abolishing the monarchy.”
Zack Polanski, leader of the Green party in England and Wales, which supports abolishing the monarchy, said he believed Andrew’s case could hasten that moment.
“When the public is ready to have the national conversation about the monarchy, I think issues like this are certainly not going to help the monarchy’s cause,” he told reporters while campaigning for next week’s by-elections in Gorton and Denton.
