MPs ‘pushing laborious’ to launch inquiry into Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge residence | Prince Andrew

MPs on a robust parliamentary choose committee are “pushing laborious” to launch an inquiry into Prince Andrew’s residence at Royal Lodge, the Guardian understands.

Keir Starmer has indicated he’s open to MPs questioning Andrew in particular person about his dwelling in Windsor Nice Park, the place he has lived for greater than 20 years with out paying lease.

MPs on the general public accounts committee, which scrutinises public spending, are understood to be gathering help to launch their inquiry into the monetary preparations.

The choose committee is chaired by the veteran Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown. Any resolution to launch an inquiry would must be agreed by the entire committee.

The previous chair of the committee, Margaret Hodge, has publicly criticised the residing preparations of Andrew, who has been stripped of his dukedom by the palace after new revelations about his friendship with the convicted youngster intercourse offender Jeffery Epstein.

The federal government is going through mounting stress over the prince’s residence within the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor, the place it was revealed that he has not paid lease for greater than twenty years.

Andrew has leased the Royal Lodge from the UK state’s property empire, the crown property, since 2003, making a one-off fee of £1m to lease the property for 75 years although paying for £7.5m in refurbishments. He pays “one peppercorn” a yr in lease.

If he had been pressured to go away the mansion, the crown property must pay him compensation.

The stress comes amid recent allegations made concerning the prince within the posthumous memoir by the Epstein survivor Virginia Giuffre, who mentioned she had intercourse with Andrew on three separate events. She additionally mentioned the prince’s workforce tried to “rent web trolls” to “trouble” her on-line. Andrew has persistently denied any wrongdoing.

The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, mentioned on Tuesday she believed individuals ought to “pay their manner” when requested whether or not Andrew must be permitted to stay on the Royal Lodge.

Sources near the choose committee mentioned there was rising will for a correct examination of his residing preparations and the continued luxurious he enjoys regardless of his conduct.

At prime minister’s questions on Wednesday, Starmer appeared to agree with the Liberal Democrat chief, Ed Davey, when he prompt MPs cross-examined Andrew about Royal Lodge.

“Given the revelations about Royal Lodge, does the rime minister agree that this Home must correctly scrutinise the crown property to make sure taxpayers’ pursuits are protected? The chancellor has mentioned these preparations are fallacious, so will the prime minister help a choose committee inquiry to take proof from everybody concerned – together with the present occupant?”

Starmer replied: “Nicely, it’s essential in relation to all properties, crown properties, that there’s correct scrutiny, and I definitely help that.”

His spokesperson didn’t deny that Starmer was endorsing the thought of a choose committee inspecting Royal Lodge. “It’s essential that there’s correct scrutiny when the scrutiny is required,” they mentioned.

Davey mentioned that any cross-examination would have public backing. “The general public are fairly understandably demanding solutions, so it’s proper that parliament will get to the underside of preparations concerning the Royal Lodge.

“Prince Andrew ought to come earlier than a parliamentary committee to present his proof and present contrition. Transparency will probably be central to rebuilding belief in our establishments.”