{"id":2110468,"date":"2025-10-23T13:57:32","date_gmt":"2025-10-23T13:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2110468"},"modified":"2025-10-23T13:57:32","modified_gmt":"2025-10-23T13:57:32","slug":"downing-street-dismisses-calls-for-mps-to-be-given-time-to-debate-prince-andrew","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/downing-street-dismisses-calls-for-mps-to-be-given-time-to-debate-prince-andrew\/","title":{"rendered":"Downing Street dismisses calls for MPs to be given time to debate Prince Andrew"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"main\">\n<div class=\"hydrate-root sc-10wlkbs-0\" data-component=\"Newsletter\" data-loading=\"lazy\" data-theme-name=\"base\">\n<aside class=\"sc-y4bm30-0 jwWhkK newsletter-component sc-1ge0fwe-0\" data-newsletter-key=\"receiveTheView\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-1 inRDZn\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-3\">\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-4 hfveGa\">\n<p><h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-6 fvoxRM iqEJkX\">Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-8 fvoxRM lbjUDc\">Get our free View from Westminster email<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"sc-y4bm30-5 sc-y4bm30-7 fvoxRM PyuJm\">Get our free View from Westminster email<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n<p><svg class=\"sc-eaj12q-0 hKcUSR sc-culv3z-0 eifaJK sc-1ix0cah-0 PYnPb sc-y4bm30-10 fUEDPX\"><use href=\"#600f53465147d717\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n<div class=\"sc-y4bm30-2 kcLSBk sc-y4bm30-9 iQYNfz\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/static-assets\/images\/newsletters\/viewFromWestminster1_1.png\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"View from Westminster\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>Downing Street has appeared to dismiss the idea of MPs being given time for a Commons debate on <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/prince-andrew\">Prince Andrew<\/a>, with the prime minister\u2019s spokesperson saying that the royal family \u201c<a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/uk\/home-news\/mps-downing-street-jeffrey-epstein-government-house-of-commons-b2850898.html\" title=\"Royals want MPs to focus on \u2018important issues\u2019 not Prince Andrew, No 10 says\">would not want to take time<\/a>\u201d from other parliamentary business. <\/p>\n<p>Pressure has been <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/uk\/home-news\/lindsay-hoyle-mps-parliament-house-of-commons-virginia-giuffre-b2850772.html\">mounting on the King\u2019s brother<\/a> over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his rent-free mansion in Windsor. <\/p>\n<p>On Wednesday, Sir <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/keir-starmer\">Keir Starmer<\/a> said he would support \u201cproper scrutiny\u201d of the Crown Estate arrangements, but on Thursday Downing Street suggested that the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/government\">government<\/a> is not planning on making time for MPs to debate the matter. <\/p>\n<p>Asked if the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/topic\/government\">government<\/a> would be making time, a No 10 spokesperson said: \u201cPrince Andrew has already confirmed he will <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.independent.co.uk\/news\/uk\/home-news\/parliament-yougov-duke-of-york-bill-commons-b2849902.html\" title=\"New law proposed to give King power to strip Prince Andrew of his dukedom\">not use his titles<\/a>. 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.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, a committee of MPs will be \u201cseeking more information\u201d on the prince\u2019s lease arrangements for the Royal Lodge property. <\/p>\n<p>Chair of the public accounts committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said on Thursday that he will be writing to the crown estate commissioners and the Treasury in the coming days. <\/p>\n<p>Sir Geoffrey added: \u201cIn the correspondence, our cross-party committee will be raising a number of questions with the crown estate and HM Treasury. This forms part of our long-standing remit, on behalf of parliament and the British public, to examine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending, and ensure the taxpayer is receiving best value for money.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Commons speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said on Thursday that \u201cthere are ways for the House to properly consider the matter\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked earlier this week whether \u201cgiven the revelations about Royal Lodge\u201d the prime minister believed that MPs should \u201cproperly scrutinise the Crown Estate to ensure taxpayers\u2019 interests are protected\u201d.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"2\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 hcSZFO\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/10\/23\/11\/dfa08b8f9eba8a5a14ac1390fb749eceY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzYxMjk4MTEy-2.81632185.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/10\/23\/11\/dfa08b8f9eba8a5a14ac1390fb749eceY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzYxMjk4MTEy-2.81632185.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/10\/23\/11\/dfa08b8f9eba8a5a14ac1390fb749eceY29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzYxMjk4MTEy-2.81632185.jpg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Prince Andrew announced last week that he would stop using his Duke of York title\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 dkRtZs inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-44568\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 hwVecx\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 ghyfOu hgzWpY\">Prince Andrew announced last week that he would stop using his Duke of York title<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 fbYyBW\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->PA<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003, although he paid \u00a31m for the lease and a further \u00a37.5m for refurbishments.<\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, 26 MPs have signed an early day motion calling for the government to \u201ctake legislative steps to remove the dukedom granted to Prince Andrew\u201d. <\/p>\n<p>Addressing MPs on Thursday, Sir Lindsay said: \u201cI know there has been some commentary on what members of this House may or may not discuss in the chamber in relation to Prince Andrew, some of which is inaccurate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere is understandably great interest from members, and from the public, on this matter. For the benefit of the House, I would like to be clear that there are ways for the House to properly consider this matter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAny discussions about the conduct or reflections on members of the royal family can be properly discussed on the substantive motions. And I know some members have already tabled such a motion. I am not able to allocate time for a debate on such a motion, but others are able to do so, if wishing to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-awdjp1-2 cbpRGD sc-awdjp1-3 image align-center\">\n<figure class=\"sc-1cbdeug-0 cXcwgU\">\n<div data-gallery-length=\"2\" class=\"sc-awdjp1-0 ckGLt\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/10\/21\/15\/42\/Prince-Andrews-Royal-Lodge-in-Windsor-ny8og6ki.jpeg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/10\/21\/15\/42\/Prince-Andrews-Royal-Lodge-in-Windsor-ny8og6ki.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=320&amp;auto=webp 320w, https:\/\/static.independent.co.uk\/2025\/10\/21\/15\/42\/Prince-Andrews-Royal-Lodge-in-Windsor-ny8og6ki.jpeg?quality=75&amp;width=640&amp;auto=webp 640w\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003\" class=\"sc-1mc30lb-0 ggpMaE inline-gallery-btn\"\/><\/p>\n<p><button class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-0 dkRtZs inline-gallery-btn\" id=\"trigger-autogallery-44569\"><span class=\"sc-1uf4o3q-1 hwVecx\">open image in gallery<\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"sc-1cbdeug-1 sc-1cbdeug-3 ghyfOu hgzWpY\">Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn rent since 2003<span class=\"sc-1cbdeug-7 fbYyBW\"> <!-- -->(<!-- -->Reuters<!-- -->)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>Substantive motions can be tabled by the government, by opposition parties in opposition day debates, and by backbenchers through an application to the backbench business committee.<\/p>\n<p>It comes as the prince\u2019s relationship with the disgraced financier Epstein has come under fresh pressure following the release of the posthumous memoir of Virginia Giuffre, who died by suicide earlier this year. The memoir contains further details around Giuffre\u2019s allegations that the prince had sex with her a number of times after she was trafficked by Epstein and his partner Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence on sex-trafficking charges.<\/p>\n<p>Andrew has denied allegations that Giuffre was forced to have sex with him. <\/p>\n<p>Andrew announced last Friday that he would stop using his Duke of York title, but an act of parliament would be required to remove it formally. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.independent.co.uk \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Downing Street has appeared to dismiss the idea of MPs being given time for a Commons debate on Prince Andrew, with the prime minister\u2019s spokesperson saying [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2034084,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2110468","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Donald-Trump-set-to-invite-King-Charles-to-White-House.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110468","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2110468"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110468\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2110469,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2110468\/revisions\/2110469"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2034084"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2110468"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2110468"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2110468"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}