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Andrew may still be called before Commons committee over Royal Lodge, senior MP tells LBC

Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has reiterated calls for Andrew's living arrangements to be investigated by Parliament regardless of him being set to leave the mansion.

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Sarah Olney, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee, says Andrew may yet be called before the Commons
Sarah Olney, who sits on the Public Accounts Committee, says Andrew may yet be called before the Commons. Picture: Getty

By Chay Quinn

Andrew may still be called to appear before a Commons committee, a senior MP has told LBC.

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Before the King began the process to remove his Prince title, senior politicians had suggested he may be called before a Commons committee to explain his lease on the Royal Lodge.

Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat MP for Richmond Park, has reiterated calls for Andrew's living arrangements to be investigated by Parliament regardless of him being set to leave the mansion.

Speaking to LBC's Henry Riley, Ms Olney said: "The Public Accounts Committee, of which I am a member, has sent a letter in the last week to the Crown Estate with some very detailed questions about the status of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his residence at the Royal Lodge.

"And we still expect those questions to be answered. The extent to which we might have followed up on that is affected by today."

Read More: What will happen to Beatrice and Eugenie after Andrew stripped of Prince title?

Read More: King wields axe against Andrew with disgraced royal set to lose Prince title and be forced from Royal Lodge

Prince Andrew Under Pressure To Move Out Of Royal Lodge
Prince Andrew Under Pressure To Move Out Of Royal Lodge. Picture: Getty

When asked whether Andrew, who will be known Mr Mountbatten Windsor upon the loss of his titles, could appear before the Public Accounts Committee, Ms Olney said: "Yes, That could still be on the table.

"We're going to wait and see what answers we get back from the Crown Estate.

"If the questions they give give way to further questions absolutely we could still hold an evidence session and of course Mr Mountbatten-Windsor could be summoned to appear before that committee."

In response to the King's decision to strip Andrew's titles and residence at the Royal Lodge, Ms Olney said: "I think we the Liberal Democrats, we've been saying the King's absolutely right to have taken this step.

"The particular interest we have as MPs is in his living arrangements and to what extent the taxpayers we represent are funding those.

"But more importantly, I think we are concerned by the reputation of the King and the reputation of the Royal Family and that's why these questions are being raised in Parliament."