SNP Leader Calls for Act of Parliament to Strip Prince Andrew of Titles

Strategic Insights -

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has called for an Act of Parliament to strip Prince Andrew and Lord Mandelson of their titles, following renewed controversy surrounding Jeffrey Epstein. The move comes ahead of the publication of a book by Virginia Giuffre, who claims the disgraced duke hid in Scotland to avoid being served with court papers. The SNP's Westminster leader, Stephen Flynn, has hit out at Labour for inaction, saying there is "no justification" for failing to strip the pair of their titles.

Key Takeaways:

  • SNP leader Stephen Flynn has called for an Act of Parliament to strip Prince Andrew and Lord Mandelson of their titles
  • The move comes ahead of the publication of a book by Virginia Giuffre, which includes claims that Prince Andrew hid in Scotland to avoid being served with court papers
  • Prince Andrew has relinquished his Duke of York and Earl of Inverness titles, his knighthood, and his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, amid fears the scandal could worsen
  • Removing the titles formally requires an Act of Parliament, but senior Labour ministers have shown little appetite for such action
  • Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has stated that the Government would be "guided by the Royal Family" on the issue
  • SNP MP Rachael Maskell has revived her earlier private member's bill, which would give the monarch powers to remove titles
  • The bill would not take up significant parliamentary time and would make a real difference in addressing associations with individuals like Epstein

Statistics:

  • Prince Andrew has relinquished his Duke of York and Earl of Inverness titles, his knighthood, and his role as a Royal Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter
  • 17 is the age at which Virginia Giuffre allegedly met Prince Andrew and was shown in a famous photo
  • Prince Andrew paid millions to Virginia Giuffre to settle a civil sexual assault case, despite claiming never to have met her
  • The Royal Family has taken "the right course of action" in removing Prince Andrew's titles, according to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson
  • 2022 is the year in which Virginia Giuffre settled her legal case with Prince Andrew for a reported $12 million

Sources:

  • "Scottish National Party calls for Prince Andrew to lose royal titles" by Andrew Learmonth in _The Scotsman_
  • "Virginia Giuffre's book details Prince Andrew's alleged interactions with her" by _Telegraph_
  • "SNP MP Rachael Maskell urges Parliament to act on Prince Andrew's titles" by BBC Radio 4's _Today_ programme
  • "Prince Andrew's titles are in abeyance, but removing them formally requires an Act of Parliament" by _The Guardian_