Kemi Badenoch has distanced herself from calls for urgent action to be taken against Prince Andrew.

The Conservative Party leader has refused to support her shadow justice secretary’s demand that the disgraced royal vacate Royal Lodge.

When questioned on Thursday about Robert Jenrick’s criticism of the King’s brother, Kemi Badenoch responded: “I’m the Leader of the Opposition, he’s not the Leader of the Opposition.”

The Tory leader repeatedly declined to discuss the matter when approached, stating: “I don’t comment on royal matters.”

When journalists pressed further about whether Jenrick had broken party ranks, Badenoch reiterated her stance.

She emphasised her leadership position whilst repeating her refusal to address royal affairs.

Earlier this week, Jenrick had launched a scathing attack on Andrew during a BBC Radio 4 interview.

The shadow justice secretary declared that Andrew had “disgraced himself” and “embarrassed the Royal Family time and again”, adding that “the public are sick of him”.

Jenrick argued that the prince should not be permitted to “live in luxury homes ever again” using public funds.

Pressure has been mounting on Andrew to surrender his Royal Lodge residence, which comprises thirty rooms.

Recent revelations showed he has been paying minimal rent for over two decades.

Westminster’s Public Accounts Committee plans to contact both the Crown Estate and the Treasury regarding the property arrangement.

Number 10 has confirmed that MPs won’t receive allocated time to debate Andrew’s situation in Parliament.

A spokesperson explained that the royal household prefers legislators to concentrate on “important issues” rather than this matter.

The government has thrown its weight behind the royal household’s stance on the matter.

A Downing Street representative said: “We support the decision made by the Royal Family and we know the Royal Family would not want to take time from other important issues.”

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