Prince Andrew's Windsor mansion living arrangements to be reviewed by watchdog

Prince Andrew’s lease arrangements on his Windsor mansion will be looked into by the Commons spending watchdog.

Andrew currently lives at Royal Lodge on a so-called peppercorn rent – a token amount that typically exists only to ensure the lease is valid.

Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, which examines the value for money of government projects, programmes and service delivery, said he will be seeking answers from the Crown Estate and the Treasury.

“The Public Accounts Committee, which I chair, will be writing in the coming days to the Crown Estate Commissioners and HM Treasury, seeking further information on the lease arrangements for Royal Lodge,” he said.

“In the correspondence, our cross-party committee will be raising a number of questions with the Crown Estate and HM Treasury.

He added that this forms part of a long-standing remit “on behalf of Parliament and the British public to examine the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of public spending, and ensure the taxpayer is receiving best value for money”.

It comes after Downing Street said MPs will not be given time in the House of Commons to discuss Prince Andrew’s conduct.

The Commons could only discuss Andrew’s friendship with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his rent-free mansion if there was a formal motion, but the government controls the bulk of parliamentary time.

The prime minister’s official spokesman said on Thursday: “Prince Andrew has already confirmed he will not use his titles.

“We support the decision made by the Royal Family, and we know the royal family would not want to take time from other important issues.”

Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle said there was no ban on MPs discussing the conduct of a member of the royal family, but it would have to be on a “substantive motion” rather than during regular question time sessions.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, meanwhile, has declined to endorse Robert Jenrick’s call for Prince Andrew to leave Royal Lodge, saying: “I’m the Leader of the Opposition, he’s not the Leader of the Opposition.”

Asked whether she agreed with the shadow justice secretary that Andrew should not be allowed to live in the property, she said: “I don’t comment on royal matters.”

Andrew gave up his royal title and honours last Friday, following “continued allegations” against him in relation to the paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.

The King’s brother is under increasing pressure following revelations in the posthumous memoir of Andrew’s sex accuser, Virginia Giuffre.

The prince vehemently denies the late Ms Giuffre’s allegations that she was forced to have sex with him three times, including when she was 17, and also after she was trafficked by Epstein.