Boris Johnson's Controversial Defence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor
In a startling intervention, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has claimed that Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has "done his country a service" following the extensive fallout from his connections to the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The disgraced ex-Prime Minister, writing in his Daily Mail column, expressed unexpected sympathy for the King's brother, even stating he "felt a bit sorry" for the former Duke of York.
Johnson's Unusual Sympathy and Royal Family Commentary
Johnson's comments come as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faces ongoing scrutiny, having been arrested last Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. The former Duke was released under investigation eleven hours after his detention, which coincidentally occurred on his sixty-sixth birthday. Despite the serious allegations, which Andrew has consistently denied, Johnson presented a contrarian perspective on the scandal's broader implications.
The former Prime Minister argued that the controversy surrounding Andrew might represent "the best thing to have happened to the Royal Family for years." Johnson elaborated that by providing such a stark contrast, Andrew's disgrace has paradoxically highlighted the relative decency and public-spirited nature of other royal family members. He suggested that every family has its black sheep, and Andrew's situation makes the monarchy more relatable to the public.
Recounting Two Meetings with the Former Duke
Johnson detailed two separate encounters with Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to illustrate his points. The first meeting occurred when Johnson served as Mayor of London, between 2008 and 2016. Johnson recalled being "a bit grumpy" when summoned to meet the then-prince, who was acting as a trade envoy at the time.
During this encounter, Andrew reportedly presented a "series of ideas" aimed at making London more attractive to billionaires, which Johnson speculated were "perhaps gleaned from some of his international contacts." These proposals included a controversial suggestion to demolish the then-unredeveloped Battersea Power Station, with Andrew allegedly dismissing preservation plans by stating, "It'll never happen."
The former Duke also complained about inadequate VIP facilities at Heathrow Airport, arguing that this deficiency was discouraging potential significant investors. More bizarrely, Andrew proposed a solution to concerns about building a new airport in the Thames estuary, where the sunken WWII munitions ship SS Richard Montgomery posed a risk. His suggestion involved wrapping the wreck in a massive steel net to contain any potential explosion.
A Second Meeting After the Newsnight Interview
Johnson's second recounted meeting took place after Andrew's disastrous 2019 Newsnight interview, during Johnson's tenure as Prime Minister. In what he described as a lighter moment, Johnson claimed he advised Andrew to open a pub with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson and name it the "Duke of York."
Despite the gravity of the allegations against Andrew, Johnson expressed sympathy for his position within the royal family. "He was the second son in a system that insisted on male primogeniture," Johnson wrote. "The result was that he didn't have a role. But now, he does."
Johnson's Broader Analysis of the Scandal's Impact
Johnson extended his analysis beyond personal sympathy, framing the Epstein-linked scandal as a societal mirror. He described the public's reaction to reading about Andrew, Epstein, and other figures associated with the Caribbean island as generating "a creepy sense of a conspiracy involving money and power and sexual dissolution."
This discomfort, Johnson argued, ultimately serves to reinforce public appreciation for the remaining members of the Royal Family. "It's precisely because he makes us shudder, and think of the alternative, that Andrew has done the monarchy a favour," Johnson concluded. "By the sheer scale of his disgrace, he has paradoxically intensified the dignity of the crown."
The former Prime Minister's comments represent a highly unconventional defence of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor at a time when the former Duke faces serious legal and reputational challenges. Johnson's perspective suggests that even in disgrace, Andrew may have inadvertently performed a service by providing a negative example that highlights the contrasting conduct of other royals.
