Calls To Remove Andrew From Line Of Succession Grow After Arrest

Calls for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the line of succession are growing following the former prince’s arrest.

The former Duke of York was held in custody for 11 hours on Thursday, on his 66th birthday, before being released under investigation.

Andrew has always denied any allegations of wrongdoing.

He was detained on suspicion of misconduct in public office while his homes in were searched by police.

It’s understood that the search in his Norfolk home on the Sandringham estate has concluded while officers continued to look through his Royal Lodge home in Windsor, Berkshire, on Friday.

The shocking turn of events comes after three million documents related to the dead paedophile Jeffrey Epstein were released by the US Department of Justice.

Several UK forces have since started to look into various claims, including the possibility that Andrew sent confidential information to Epstein in his capacity as Britain’s trade envoy.

The documents suggest the former prince may have forwarded government reports from his visits to Vietnam, Singapore and China to the disgraced financier.

Thames Valley Police also said in February that it was assessing a separate allegation that a second woman was sent to the UK by Epstein for a sexual encounter with Andrew in 2010.

The woman, who is not British, was in her 20s at the time.

Yesterday’s arrest was not in relation to allegations of any sexual offences.

Andrew stepped down from his royal duties in 2019 after a car crash Newsnight interview about his friendship with Epstein.

When further allegations about their association emerged in October, King Charles stripped Andrew of his titles – including his status as prince.

However, Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne, behind Prince William and his children, and Prince Harry and his children.

Legislation via an act of parliament would be needed to remove him from the line of succession, and MPs would have to debate the topic.

These latest claims, alongside the arrest, have triggered calls for more extreme action.

A YouGov poll has found 82% of the public think Andrew should be removed, while 6% disagreed and 12% said they were not sure.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey said the monarchy must work to make sure Andrew can “never become king”.

He said: “The most important thing right now is that the police be allowed to get on with their job, acting without fear or favour.

“But clearly this is an issue that parliament is going to have to consider when the time is right, naturally the Monarchy will want to make sure he can never become King.”

Meanwhile the Green Party leader Zack Polanski has called for a full statutory inquiry.

“I think its pretty awful, I think there are lots of questions to be asked,” he said. “We obviously need to wait for the legal process to make its way, but I would say we really need a full statutory inquiry.”

He argued that “when necessary” people should be “removed” from their positions – adding that he did not believe Britain should have a monarchy.

Meanwhile, shortly before Andrew’s arrest, prime minister Keir Starmer told BBC Breakfast that “nobody is above the law” when asked about the allegations against the former prince.

The King already appeared to distance the royal family from his disgraced brother on Thursday in a statement.

He wrote: “I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities. In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation.

“Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

“As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all.”

In a statement on Thursday evening, the police said: “Thames Valley Police is able to provide an update in relation to an investigation into the offence of misconduct in public office.

“On Thursday we arrested a man in his sixties from Norfolk on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

“The arrested man has now been released under investigation.

“We can also confirm that our searches in Norfolk have now concluded.”