Davey asks PAC chair to summon Prince Andrew following PMQs exchange

EMBARGO: Immediate Release

Responding to Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey at PMQs today, the Prime Minister indicated he was open to parliamentary scrutiny of Prince Andrew and arrangements surrounding Royal Lodge.

Following this exchange, Davey has written to Public Accounts Committee chair Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, asking him to launch an inquiry and summon Prince Andrew to give evidence.

Letter text is below:

To: Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee
cc the Prime Minister

Dear Sir Geoffrey,

Following the revelations that Prince Andrew has been living in Royal Lodge in Windsor Great Lodge while paying only “peppercorn” rent, the public are understandably asking whether this is an appropriate arrangement by the Crown Estate.

The victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking ring, and their families, will have found this news especially shocking. They deserve answers.

Proper transparency is urgently needed, and Parliament has an important role to play in scrutinising the Crown Estate and ensuring that taxpayers’ interests are upheld.

At Prime Minister’s Questions today, I proposed a select committee inquiry into these arrangements, taking evidence from everyone involved, including Prince Andrew. In his response, the Prime Minister affirmed the importance of proper scrutiny of the Crown Estate, and said “I certainly support that”.

I am therefore writing to ask if, as chair of the Public Accounts Committee, you will establish an inquiry into the use of Royal Lodge by Prince Andrew and summon him to take evidence? I am confident you would have cross-party support for such an inquiry.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

Ed Davey

ENDS