No 10 dismisses MPs' calls for time to debate Andrew

Downing Street has appeared to dismiss the idea of MPs being given time for a Commons debate on Prince Andrew, with the prime minister's spokesperson saying that the royal family "would not want to take time" from other parliamentary business.

- CAITLIN DOHERTY POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

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

On Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer said he would support “proper scrutiny” of the crown estate arrangements, but yesterday, Downing Street suggested that the government is not planning on making time for MPs to debate the matter.

Asked if the government would be making time, a No 10 spokesperson said: “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.”

Meanwhile, a committee of MPs will be “seeking more information” on the prince’s lease arrangements for the Royal Lodge property. Chair of the public accounts committee Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said that he will be writing to the crown estate commissioners and the Treasury in the coming days.