Prince Andrew latest: MPs ‘working hard’ to launch inquiry into Royal Lodge rent deal

A Downing Street spokesman declined to comment on whether Sir Keir Starmer would leave the door open to an investigation into Prince Andrew’s peppercorn fare at the Royal Lodge on Wednesday.

It comes as PMQs Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey pressed the Prime Minister on whether he would support the establishment of a select committee.

Sir Ed said: “Will the Prime Minister support a select committee inquiry so that everyone involved can be called to give evidence, including the current occupier?”

The Prime Minister said: “In relation to all Crown assets it is important that there is a proper investigation, and I certainly support that.”

Asked if this meant Sir Keir was leaving the door open to an investigation, the Number 10 spokesman said: “I am not going to speculate on anything other than what the Prime Minister has said, which is that it is important that there is a proper investigation.

“I’m not going to go beyond potential parliamentary procedures.”

A new law has been proposed in the House of Commons that would give the King the power to strip Andrew of his dukedom.

York Central MP Rachel Maskell has introduced legislation that would give Charles the power to remove his titles.

The proposed new law would give the monarch the power to remove titles on her own initiative, following the recommendation of a joint committee of Parliament, or at the request of the person holding the title.

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Prince Andrew’s residence at the 30-room Royal Lodge in Windsor has come under intense scrutiny over the past few days.

But the sprawling mansion, set on 98 acres of grounds, has been used as a residence by the royal family since the 1800s.

Before Andrew’s family took up residence at the Royal Lodge, it was occupied by King George VI and the Queen Mother when they were still the Duke and Duchess of York.

Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret spent much time at the Royal Lodge, which was used by the family as a country retreat.

In the mid-18th century, the military topographer and artist Thomas Sandby lived in the house as deputy ranger of the Great Park, giving the property the name Deputy Ranger House.

Later, it was the home of park bailiff Joseph Frost, who became general superintendent of the fields after Sandby’s death.

George, Prince of Wales, who later became King George IV, used the lodge as a temporary residence in 1812.

Under the orders of King William IV in 1830, it was almost completely demolished and rebuilt, except for the conservatory. By 1840 it was being used as the residence of various officials of the royal household.

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MPs on the Public Accounts Select Committee are said to be “working hard” to launch an investigation into Prince Andrew’s Royal Lodge rental matters.

Guardian It is reported that MPs are gathering support for the investigation. The entire committee would need to agree for the investigation to proceed.

The select committee is chaired by Conservative MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown.

The outlet reported that Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey had written to Mr Clifton-Brown calling for the inquiry to be launched, saying: “Proper transparency is urgently needed, and Parliament has an important role in scrutinizing the Crown Estate and ensuring that taxpayers’ interests are upheld.”

As pressure grows on Prince Andrew over his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, MPs and campaigners have called on him to leave his residence at Royal Lodge in Windsor.

On Tuesday it emerged Andrew had only paid “peppercorn rent” for the property for two decades.

The 30-room lodge was the Windsor residence of Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother from 1952 until her death in 2002.

Sir Keir Starmer has signaled he will support a bid for Prince Andrew to be questioned by MPs over the rent of the Royal Lodge.

Responding to a question from Sir Ed Davey at PMQs, the Prime Minister said: “It is important in relation to all Crown assets that there is a proper investigation, I certainly support that.”

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