Sir Keir Starmer is facing calls from MPs to legislate to strip Prince Andrew of his dukedom, amid claims that there would be “significant” support for the move.

Labour backbenchers are among those who want the government to intervene to ensure proper “justice”, despite Andrew having vowed to stop using his title.

Last week, Andrew said he would no longer be known as the Duke of York, after a discussion with the King amid accusations about his friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

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A statement from Andrew said that “continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family”. In response to the growing pressure over his links with Epstein, he added: “I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”

Downing Street on Monday distanced itself from the row, insisting that the future of Andrew’s titles was “a matter for the Palace”.

However, Starmer is facing mounting pressure from Labour MPs to pass an act of parliament, which is the only way to formally strip a royal of their title. The government would probably have to back the bill for it to stand a chance of passing.

Andrew remains a prince in accordance with a law set down by George V in 1917

TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS

Graham Stringer, a veteran Labour backbencher, said there should be a debate in the Commons followed by an act of parliament to formally strip Andrew of his titles.

He told The Times: “I would be surprised if there weren’t a significant number of MPs who would want parliament to intervene. The government will not want to, but might bow to pressure.”

Rachael Maskell, an MP who had the Labour whip removed in July for rebelling against the government, is spearheading a campaign to bring forward legislation to strip Andrew of his title.

She is discussing the plans with parliamentary officials, given limited routes available to backbenchers to force legislation through both Houses, and believes legislation is required so that “justice could be served”.

Other MPs, including Stephen Flynn, the SNP leader in Westminster, suggested there would be cross-party support for an act of parliament.

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He told the Telegraph: “The family of Virginia Giuffre, whose life was destroyed, are angry and aghast, the public across these isles are angry and aghast, and they both deserve to know that some MPs share their outrage.

“So I won’t sit silent — if an act of parliament is required to strip the likes of Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew of their titles, then there can be no justification from this Labour government as to why that is not immediately happening.”

Starmer has also faced calls to remove Mandelson’s peerage, after the US ambassador was effectively sacked over new revelations about his friendship with Epstein.

Peter Mandelson’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein led to his dismissal as US ambassador

ALAMY

Andrew was also urged to be more open about his friendship with Epstein. Sarah Owen, a Labour MP and chair of the women and equalities select committee, told The Times: “Many people will be less concerned about royal titles and rightly more concerned about the horrific things Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been accused of.

“While there’s traditionally been a lot of affection for other members of the royal family, that good faith can’t be taken for granted in Andrew’s case. Whether it’s his reported close ties with alleged Chinese spies or friendship with Epstein, the British public deserve total transparency in order to judge for themselves if Andrew is fit to retain the title ‘Prince’ and all the privilege that goes along with it.”

Downing Street declined to get involved in the row. The prime minister’s spokesman said: “It’s a matter for the royal family. Prince Andrew has confirmed he won’t use his titles, and we support the judgment made by the King.”

The spokesman denied that ministers were scared of the reaction from the royal family, saying: “The government isn’t scared of anyone or anything.”

Titles that Andrew said he would voluntarily give up include his knighthood as a Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order (GCVO) and his Garter role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter.

However, he will remain known as Prince Andrew, in accordance with a law set down by George V in 1917 that agreed that a son of a monarch would automatically be a prince. His HRH status will remain but be temporarily suspended.