MPs could be set to debate Andrew Mountbatten Windsor furore

The conduct of Andrew Mountbatten Windsor could be debated by MPs for the first time next week after the King officially stripped his disgraced brother of his titles.

The Liberal Democrats intend to raise the former prince’s Royal Lodge arrangements, including details about the size of any payout for leaving the property, after the Commons returns from recess on Tuesday.

By convention, MPs are not allowed to criticise the royal family in the chamber. But Andrew, 65, is now a commoner after Charles’ decision to banish him from the monarchy followed growing controversy over his links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

Andrew has for many years has been dogged by allegations he sexually abused Virginia Giuffre after she was trafficked by the financier. He strenuously denies the accusations.

It also emerged in recent weeks that he had emailed Epstein in 2011 saying “we’re in this together”, three months after he claimed he had broken all contact with the convicted sex offender.

The former prince has given up his lease on his 30-room mansion in Windsor, where he was living with “peppercorn” rent for more than 20 years, amid the furore. He has also had his status as prince and his dukedom removed.

However, he was set to receive a one-off, six-figure payment to cover his move, plus an annual stipend privately funded by the King to prevent him from “overspending in his new life as a commoner”, the Guardian newspaper reported last week.

A Lib Dem source suggested there should be greater transparency over whether the Government had provided any “advice” on the matter.

“There are still too many unanswered questions surrounding this scandal that the public deserve answers to,” the source said.

“That includes the size of the payout Andrew will receive for leaving the Royal Lodge and what advice the Government has provided.

“Andrew should be giving evidence to Parliament under oath, to finally provide the transparency and scrutiny that has been sorely missing over his links to Epstein and his victims.

“In the meantime, MPs should have the opportunity to press ministers directly on what involvement the Government has had and what the potential cost is to taxpayers.”

‘Serious questions’

Meanwhile, members of the US congress have written to Andrew requesting he sit for a “transcribed interview” in connection with his “long-standing friendship” with Epstein.

In the letter, sent to the former prince on Thursday, the US politicians said their House Oversight Committee had identified “financial records containing notations such as ‘massage for Andrew’ that raise serious questions”.

The letter, signed by 16 members of congress, requested Andrew responds by November 20.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the decision of whether to appear was “a matter for him (Andrew),” adding: “My view, and this is not about the individual case, more broadly, is that anybody who has relevant information should always be willing to give it to whatever inquiries need that information.”