Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: Stopping former prince from becoming king is ‘right thing to do’, minister says

Liberal Democrats would support legislation to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession, party leader Sir Ed Davey has said.

Speaking to the Press Association at the Scottish Liberal Democrats conference in Edinburgh, he was asked if he would back legislation for the move if it was brought forward in Parliament.

He said: “Yes it is. I think it would be intolerable for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to succeed to the Crown.

“It’s not not as remote as some people think – if you look at a few tragedies.”

He added: “So we have to take action. Clearly, we want to make sure that action in no way prejudices the police investigation. That’s absolutely critical.”

Sir Ed continued: “You’ve got to remember the victims of Epstein and the people who went to his island, those women and girls. They should be at the forefront of our minds as we think about these things.”

Future monarchs William and Kate will need to make their vision for the institution, now in what some have suggested is its worst crisis for 90 years, clear in order to rebuild public trust.

Removing Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession is the “right thing to do,” a cabinet minister has said.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions on Friday night Luke Pollard MP said British values “point in the direction” of removing Mr Mountbatten-Windsor from “potentially being a heartbeat away from the throne”.

He said this was “something that I hope will enjoy cross party support, but its right that that is something that only happens when the police investigation concludes”.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are reportedly “very distressed” and “utterly horrified” following their father Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.

The pair are said to be in “crisis talks” with each other and the King, who remains “fiercely protective” of them, a source told the Daily Mail.

The royal family is continuing its duties amidst what experts have called its “worst crisis in 90 years” following the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor on Thursday.

Both King Charles and Queen Camilla were seen out and about on the day of the arrest, while the Prince and Princess of Wales are expected to appear in public on Saturday.

Following Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s arrest on Thursday over allegations of misconduct in a public office, questions linger over what comes next for his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

It comes after the latest tranche of emails in the Epstein files were released by the US Department of Justice. The emails appear to suggest Ms Ferguson continued a friendship with the paedophile financier after Epstein was convicted in 2008 for soliciting prostitution from a child.

In one email, the former duchess appears to say to Epstein: “I am at your service. Just marry me.”

A former royal protection officer has claimed he reported Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to the police after he smuggled women into Buckingham Palace “multiple times a week”.

Paul Page, who served between 1998 and 2004, said he received a warning from the Metropolitan Police in December reminding him of his obligations of “confidentiality and respect for the privacy of those who are protected”.

Mr Page told The Times: ‘It’s [the letter] trying to say, in the nicest possible terms, “can you shut up?”.’

He added the officers were not allowed to know the identities of any of the women.

The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.

The Metropolitan Police said they were identifying and contacting former and serving close protection officers of the former Duke of York, urging them to share any information that could assist with the investigation.

The Independent’s Maira Butt has this story below: