Stephen Flynn has called on the Prime Minister to allow the SNP to take action in removing Prince Andrew’s Duke of York title if the Government refuses to do so.
The SNP’s Westminster leader and Aberdeen South MP has pressed ministers to move “swiftly” on the matter as controversy continues to swirl around Andrew’s association with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and claims of abuse made by Virginia Giuffre.
Mr Flynn argued that if ministers “don’t feel able or don’t feel comfortable” to take action, the SNP should be given an opposition day debate in the House of Commons to force a vote on removing the title and initiating an investigation into Andrew’s financial affairs and residential arrangements.
The Commons Public Accounts Committee revealed on Thursday it would examine the lease terms of Royal Lodge – the 30-room estate Andrew occupies on a nominal rent.
However, a Number 10 spokesperson stated the Royal family “would not want to take time from other important issues”, with the Government declining to set aside parliamentary time to address the matter.
“Prince Andrew has already confirmed he will not use his titles,” the spokesperson declared. “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.”
When pushed further, he added: “Any decision by committees to scrutinise developments are a matter for them.
“The Prime Minister supports proper scrutiny of the crown estates and all uses of taxpayers’ money.”
Erskine May, the House of Commons rulebook, states: “unless the discussion is based upon a substantive motion, drawn in proper terms, reflections must not be cast in debate upon the conduct of the sovereign, the heir to the throne, or other members of the royal family”.
The SNP lost its privilege to lead opposition day debates after it was reduced to just nine MPs at last year’s election. However, Mr Flynn has written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, urging him to permit such a move.
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“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,” wrote the SNP’s Westminster leader.
“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.
“That is why it is critically important that action against Prince Andrew is now swiftly taken.
“The SNP is no longer afforded the right to an opposition day at Westminster, but it is within the gift of the Government to change that.
“If the Labour Party don’t feel able or don’t feel comfortable in acting against Prince Andrew, the SNP will.
“If the Government supplies the SNP with an opposition day, we will bring forward a motion which would give MPs the chance to vote on measures that would result in stripping Prince Andrew of his titles and would lead to an investigation into his finances, including his living arrangements.”
