Stephen Flynn urges UK Government to strip Prince Andrew of dukedom

There is “no justification” for the UK Government not to bring forward an Act of Parliament to strip Prince Andrew and Lord Mandelson of their titles, the SNP’s leader at Westminster has said.

Stephen Flynn said he would “not sit silent” while the family of Virginia Giuffre, and the British public, are “angry and aghast”.

Prince Andrew announced that he is stop using stop using his remaining titles and honours, including the Duke of York, in the wake of the Epstein scandal.

The King’s brother will retain the dukedom, which can only be removed by an Act of Parliament, but not use it.

It comes amid claims the royal had sought to obtain through his police protection staff the personal information of Ms Giuffre, who was trafficked by the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Lord Mandelson was sacked as US ambassador in September following revelations about his friendship with Epstein.

Flynn said: “The family of Virginia Giuffre, whose life was destroyed, are angry and aghast.

“The public across these isles are angry and aghast and they both deserve to know that some MPs share their outrage.

“So I won’t sit silent. If an Act of Parliament is required to strip the likes of Peter Mandelson and Prince Andrew of their titles then there can be no justification from this Labour Government as to why that is not immediately happening.”

In a statement released by Buckingham Palace, Andrew said that in discussion with the King and his immediate and wider family, they decided “the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the royal family”.

Andrew will remain a prince, which he has been entitled to since birth.

The prince added: “I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.

“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”