The British government is considering the introduction of legislation to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the royal line of succession.
Defence Minister Luke Pollard told the BBC that the move, which would prevent the King’s brother from ever becoming monarch, was the right thing to do regardless of the outcome of the current police investigation.
Pollard confirmed that the government has absolutely been working with Buckingham Palace on plans to stop the former prince from potentially being a heartbeat away from the throne.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor remains eighth in line to the throne despite being stripped of his prince and other titles last October amid pressure over his associations with Jeffrey Epstein.
The legislative considerations follow Andrew’s arrest on Thursday on suspicion of misconduct in public office. He was released under investigation after 11 hours and has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Thames Valley Police are expected to continue searching Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor property where Andrew has lived for many years, until Monday. On Friday, more than 20 vehicles, including unmarked police cars and vans, were seen at the property.
Andrew is the first senior royal to be arrested in modern history.
Implementing such a change would require an Act of Parliament approved by both MPs and peers before receiving royal assent from the King. The move would also require support from the 14 Commonwealth realms where Charles III is head of state, including Canada, Australia, Jamaica, and New Zealand. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Parliament will eventually have to consider the issue, while the SNP’s Westminster leader Stephen Flynn indicated his party would support the move.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell has also backed the legislation, noting it would remove Andrew as a counsellor of state.
However, some Labour parliamentarians have questioned if the move is required given how unlikely it is that he would ever reach the throne. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has stated that the police investigation must be given space to be carried out.
The last time an individual was removed from the line of succession by an act of Parliament was in 1936 following the abdication of Edward VIII. Buckingham Palace has indicated that the King is offering the authorities full and wholehearted support and cooperation.
