Sunday, 26 October, 2025
London, UK
Sunday, October 26, 2025 12:47 PM
few clouds 10.4°C
Condition: Few clouds
Humidity: 68%
Wind Speed: 22.2 km/h

MPs consider rare move to debate Prince Andrew’s conduct in Parliament

MPs could hold an unprecedented parliamentary debate about Prince Andrew’s conduct, utilising rarely used Opposition Day procedures that permit criticism of royals typically forbidden under Commons rules.

Parliamentary convention normally prohibits MPs from criticising members of the Royal Family during debates.

However, according to Erskine May, the parliamentary procedure guide, Opposition Day debates represent one of the few mechanisms allowing “critical language of a kind which would not be allowed in speeches in debate” regarding royals.

The Liberal Democrats’ leader, Sir Ed Davey, has urged both Andrew and his landlord, the Crown Estate, to provide testimony before a parliamentary select committee regarding his Royal Lodge lease arrangements.

Sir Ed Davey and Prince Andrew

A Liberal Democrat source told the Times: “The first thing we need is proper transparency and accountability.

“Clearly there’s a huge amount of public concern and people deserve answers, especially on how their taxpayers’ money is being spent.”

Prince Andrew is understood to be facing mounting demands from King Charles III to depart his Windsor Great Park residence following public outcry over reports that he hasn’t paid rent for more than 20 years.

Despite the prince’s belief that he possesses an unbreakable tenancy agreement, negotiations with Buckingham Palace have reached an advanced stage regarding his potential departure from the Grade II listed property.

Ed Davey

Reports have suggested Andrew might consider relocating if provided with monetary compensation and an appropriate alternative residence.

A source familiar with the King claimed: “Charles has to say to [Andrew’s] face, ‘There’s no choice here, you must now leave Royal Lodge… This is doing real damage to the monarchy, you’ve got to move.'”

Another royal insider suggested Queen Elizabeth II’s lenient treatment of her second son “left an unexploded bomb for Charles”.

Prince Andrew paid a public relations specialist between £300,000 and £500,000 over approximately 15 months to restore his reputation following his disastrous 2019 Newsnight appearance.

Prince William and Prince Andrew

Mark Gallagher, a former ITV executive, ceased advising the prince in February 2021 after it emerged he had contacted Molly Skye Brown, an online provocateur who had characterised Virginia Giuffre as an “enabler” for Jeffrey Epstein rather than a victim.

Ms Brown had asserted she possessed proof that the notorious photograph showing Andrew with his arm encircling Mrs Giuffre’s waist at Ghislaine Maxwell’s residence was fabricated.

Mrs Giuffre’s recently published memoir claims: “Prince Andrew’s team had even gone so far as to try to hire internet trolls to hassle me.”

Andrew reportedly remained unaware of Mr Gallagher’s contact with Ms Brown, and no payment was offered to her.

Virginia Giuffre

Metropolitan Police officers remain vigilant for additional revelations concerning Andrew emerging from documents submitted to a US congressional committee, whilst closely examining Virginia Giuffre’s posthumously released memoir.

According to documents submitted to a US congressional committee, it was alleged that the prince shared Mrs Giuffre’s confidential social security number with his taxpayer-funded bodyguard, requesting further investigation into her background.

The retired protection officer reportedly informed Scotland Yard that he cannot remember the 2011 episode. The Met is conducting an archival search for any accessed information, though numerous records would have been eliminated after the standard six-year retention period.

The force indicated it was “considering whether any further assessment or review is necessary”. However, there is currently insufficient evidence to reopen the investigation.

Meanwhile, Buckingham Palace and Westminster remain deadlocked, with the King reluctant to request parliamentary action to remove his brother’s title, whilst the Government refuses to proceed without formal royal approval.

LP Staff Writers

Writers at Lord’s Press come from a range of professional backgrounds, including history, diplomacy, heraldry, and public administration. Many publish anonymously or under initials—a practice that reflects the publication’s long-standing emphasis on discretion and editorial objectivity. While they bring expertise in European nobility, protocol, and archival research, their role is not to opine, but to document. Their focus remains on accuracy, historical integrity, and the preservation of events and individuals whose significance might otherwise go unrecorded.

Categories

Follow

    Newsletter

    Subscribe to receive your complimentary login credentials and unlock full access to all features and stories from Lord’s Press.

    As a journal of record, Lord’s Press remains freely accessible—thanks to the enduring support of our distinguished partners and patrons. Subscribing ensures uninterrupted access to our archives, special reports, and exclusive notices.

    LP is free thanks to our Sponsors

    Privacy Overview

    Privacy & Cookie Notice

    This website uses cookies to enhance your browsing experience and to help us understand how our content is accessed and used. Cookies are small text files stored in your browser that allow us to recognise your device upon return, retain your preferences, and gather anonymised usage statistics to improve site performance.

    Under EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), we process this data based on your consent. You will be prompted to accept or customise your cookie preferences when you first visit our site.

    You may adjust or withdraw your consent at any time via the cookie settings link in the website footer. For more information on how we handle your data, please refer to our full Privacy Policy