Downing Street dismisses requires MPs to get time to debate Prince Andrew | EUROtoday

Downing Street has appeared to dismiss the thought of MPs getting time for a Commons debate on Prince Andrew, with the prime minister’s spokesperson saying that the royal household “would not want to take time” from different parliamentary enterprise.

Pressure has been rising on the King’s brother over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and his rent-free mansion in Windsor.

On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer mentioned he would help “proper scrutiny” over Crown Estate preparations, however on Thursday Downing Street steered that the federal government just isn’t planning on making time for MPs to debate the matter.

Asked if the federal government could be making time, a Number 10 spokesperson mentioned: “Prince Andrew has already confirmed he will not use 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.”

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle mentioned on Thursday that “there are ways for the House to properly consider the matter”.

Liberal Democrat chief Sir Ed Davey requested earlier this week whether or not “given the revelations about Royal Lodge” the Prime Minister believed that MPs ought to “properly scrutinise the Crown Estate to ensure taxpayers’ interests are protected”.

Andrew has lived in Royal Lodge in Windsor on a peppercorn hire since 2003, though he paid £1 million for the lease and an extra £7.5 million for refurbishments.

Meanwhile, 26 MPs have signed an early day movement calling for the federal government to “take legislative steps to remove the dukedom granted to Prince Andrew”.

Addressing MPs on Thursday, Sir Lindsay mentioned: “I know there has been some commentary on what members of this House may or may not discuss in the chamber in relation to Prince Andrewsome of which is inaccurate.

“There 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.

“Any 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.”

Substantive motions may be tabled by the Government, opposition events in opposition day debates, and by backbenchers by means of an software to the Backbench Business Committee.

It comes because the prince’s relationship with the disgraced financier Epstein has come beneath recent strain following the discharge of the posthumous memoir of Andrew’s intercourse accuser Virginia Giuffre.

Andrew has denied allegations that Ms Giuffre was compelled to have intercourse with him.

Andrew introduced final Friday that he would cease utilizing his Duke of York title, however an act of parliament could be required to take away it formally.