The SNP’s leader at Westminster has called on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to enable parliamentary action against Prince Andrew’s royal status in connection with the Jeffrey Epstein affair.
Stephen Flynn, who represents Aberdeen South, wants the Prime Minister to grant his party an opposition debate that would allow MPs to vote on removing the Duke of York title.
The proposed motion would also seek an inquiry into the prince’s financial affairs and accommodation arrangements.
Mr Flynn has written to Downing Street demanding rapid action on the matter, as controversy continues over Andrew’s association with the deceased sex offender and claims of misconduct by Virginia Giuffre.
SNP urges Keir Starmer to back parliamentary action against Prince Andrew
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Should ministers decline to take action themselves, the SNP Westminster leader has asked for parliamentary time to pursue the measures independently.
In his correspondence to the Prime Minister, Mr Flynn expressed serious reservations about the Government’s approach to the matter.
“I am deeply concerned that the standard response from the Labour Government is that it will be solely ‘guided’ by the royal family in terms of legislation that would strip Prince Andrew of his titles and scrutinise his finances,” the SNP leader stated.
He emphasised that democratic principles and securing justice for Epstein’s victims should determine the response, not royal preferences.
“It should be a statement of the obvious that democracy and justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein should be the sole guide to our response,” Mr Flynn wrote.
The Aberdeen South MP insisted that swift measures against Prince Andrew were now essential.
Downing Street has declined to allocate parliamentary time for discussing the prince’s situation.
A Number 10 spokesman stated that Andrew had already confirmed he would refrain from using his titles.
“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,” the spokesman said.
When questioned about potential scrutiny, the spokesman added: “Any decision by committees to scrutinise developments are a matter for them.”
The Prime Minister backs appropriate oversight of Crown Estates and taxpayer funds usage, according to the spokesman.
Parliamentary rules stipulate that without a properly worded substantive motion, members cannot criticise the conduct of royals during debates.
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee revealed on Thursday its intention to examine the leasing terms for Royal Lodge, the 30-bedroom property where Andrew resides at minimal rent.
Mr Flynn’s proposal faces procedural obstacles, as the SNP’s parliamentary representation dropped to nine MPs following the previous election, removing their automatic entitlement to lead opposition debates.
The SNP leader has requested that the Government grant his party special permission for such a debate.
“If the Labour Party don’t feel able or don’t feel comfortable in acting against Prince Andrew, the SNP will,” Mr Flynn declared in his letter.
He pledged that, given an opposition day, his party would table a motion enabling MPs to vote on title removal and financial investigation measures.