Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor latest: Starmer considering law to remove former prince from line of succession

A former royal protection officer has claimed he reported Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to the police after he smuggled women into Buckingham Palace “multiple times a week”.

Paul Page, who served between 1998 and 2004, said he received a warning from the Metropolitan Police in December reminding him of his obligations of “confidentiality and respect for the privacy of those who are protected”.

Mr Page told The Times: ‘It’s [the letter] trying to say, in the nicest possible terms, “can you shut up?”.’

He added the officers were not allowed to know the identities of any of the women.

The Metropolitan Police has been contacted for comment.

The Metropolitan Police said they were identifying and contacting former and serving close protection officers of the former Duke of York, urging them to share any information that could assist with the investigation.

The Independent’s Maira Butt has this story below:

Virginia Giuffre’s family welcomed news of the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, saying: “He was never a prince.”

“At last, today, our broken hearts have been lifted at the news that no one is above the law, not even royalty,” Ms Giuffre’s siblings said in a statement.

“On behalf of our sister, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, we extend our gratitude to the UK’s Thames Valley Police for their investigation and the arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor. He was never a prince. For survivors everywhere, Virginia did this for you.”

The Royal family is expected to continue engagements as usual this weekend as a police search at Royal Lodge enters its third day.

Prince and Princess of Wales William and Kate are anticipated to appear in public carrying out royal duties on Saturday.

It comes after King Charles and Queen Camilla each attended royal engagements on Thursday following Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest.

The King refrained from answering questions from reporters at the time, but later issued his own statement in which he said the “law must take its course”.

The Independent’s Bryony Gooch takes a look inside the former royal’s arrest below:

MPs are reportedly set to meet on Tuesday to consider an investigation into Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s appointment as a UK trade envoy.

According to The Guardian, the cross-party business and trade committee said it would meet next Tuesday to assess a possible investigation into the role he held from 2001 to 2011.

One source told the newspaper he consistently badgered ministers for a more significant job on several occasions.

Others said he was widely regarded as a “liability” in the role because of his personality and the way he did the job.

“I think it’s a shame. I think it’s very sad. I think it’s so bad for the royal family. It’s very, very sad. To me, it’s a very sad thing,” Mr Trump said Thursday.

Searches at Royal Lodge, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s former home, are expected to continue for a third day following the former prince’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in a public office.

Mr Mountbatten-Windsor was released under investigation on Thursday evening.

It comes as the prime minister considers whether to formally remove him from the royal line of succession.

The move would require an Act of Parliament and the agreement of other countries which share the UK monarch.

We’ll be keeping you up to date with all the latest in this blog.