Sir Keir Starmer has launched a blistering attack on the government during Prime Minister's Questions, demanding to know why Prince Andrew has not been formally interviewed by police regarding the ongoing investigation into sex abuse claims linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Labour leader confronted Rishi Sunak over the apparent lack of police action against the Duke of York, despite his substantial out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused the royal of sexual assault when she was a teenager.
PMQs Confrontation Over Royal Accountability
During the heated exchange in the House of Commons, Starmer highlighted the stark contrast between how ordinary citizens and members of the Royal Family are treated by law enforcement. "Can he tell the House why the police have not even questioned the individual concerned?" Starmer demanded of the Prime Minister.
The confrontation comes amid growing public scrutiny of Prince Andrew's continued residence at the Royal Lodge in Windsor, a 30-room mansion costing taxpayers approximately £400,000 annually in security costs.
Growing Pressure on Metropolitan Police
Scotland Yard faces increasing pressure to explain its handling of the case, particularly after Prince Andrew settled with Ms Giuffre for a reported £12 million in 2022 without admitting liability. Legal experts suggest the settlement itself raises serious questions that warrant police investigation.
The Metropolitan Police had previously stated they would not investigate Prince Andrew after reviewing evidence in 2021, but Starmer's intervention suggests this position may need revisiting given subsequent developments and public outcry.
Royal Family's Ongoing Embarrassment
The controversy represents another significant headache for the monarchy, which has been attempting to distance itself from the Epstein scandal. Prince Andrew was stripped of his military affiliations and royal patronages in 2022 and no longer uses his HRH style, but continues to live in royal accommodation.
Buckingham Palace has maintained its position of not commenting on ongoing legal matters, but sources indicate senior royals are increasingly concerned about the damage the continuing saga is inflicting on the institution's reputation.
As public patience wears thin and political pressure mounts, the government faces difficult questions about equality before the law and whether royal status should confer special treatment in criminal investigations.
