Sir Keir Starmer has backed a name for a Commons investigation into Prince Andrew’s housing association.
The King’s brother continues to be dwelling within the Royal Lodge, a 30-room Windsor mansion owned by the Crown Property, regardless of relinquishing his Duke of York title final week.
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It has emerged he solely pays a “peppercorn rent” on the property – a authorized time period utilized in leases to indicate that lease technically exists, so the lease is legitimate, but it surely’s nominal – usually £1 a yr and even nothing in any respect.
Liberal Democrat chief Sir Ed Davey has referred to as for a choose committee inquiry into the Crown Property, during which Prince Andrew could be referred to as to offer proof.
Talking in Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Ed mentioned: “Given the revelations about Royal Lodge, does the prime minister agree that this House needs to properly scrutinise the Crown Estate to ensure taxpayers’ interests are protected.
“The chancellor herself has mentioned that the present preparations are flawed.
“So will the prime minister support a select committee inquiry, so all those involved can be called for evidence, including the current occupant?”
Responding, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer mentioned: “It’s important in relation to all Crown properties that there is proper scrutiny, and I certainly support that.”
A doc from the Crown Property, which oversees the Royal Household’s land and property holdings, reveals Andrew signed a 75-year lease on the Royal Lodge in 2003.
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Prince Andrew faces renewed scrutiny over his royal title and taxpayer-funded residence at Royal Lodge.
It reveals he paid £1m for the lease and that since then he has paid “one peppercorn” of lease “if demanded” per yr.
Andrew was additionally required to pay an additional £7.5m for refurbishments accomplished in 2005, based on a report by the Nationwide Audit Workplace.
The settlement additionally incorporates a clause that states the Crown Property must pay Andrew round £558,000 if he gave up the lease.
The royal is underneath stress to do exactly that amid continued scrutiny over his relationship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
There has additionally been recent give attention to his intercourse accuser Virginia Giuffre’s allegations, which Andrew denies, after the publication of her posthumous memoirs.
Senior Tory Robert Jenrick mentioned it was “about time Prince Andrew took himself off to live in private” as “the public are sick of him”.
Requested about his dwelling association on Tuesday, Chancellor Rachel Reeves informed the BBC: “I do think people should pay their way and pay their fair share.”
