Australia’s prime minister, Anthony Albanese says Sir Keir Starmer’s government would back plans to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal succession.
Albanese made the expression of his support for such a proposal in a letter to the UK prime minister.
It was gathered that Andrew remains eighth in line to the throne despite being stripped of his titles, including “prince”, in October amid pressure over his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
The UK government is considering introducing legislation to remove him from the line of succession. It follows Andrew’s arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office on Thursday. He has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
The former prince was released under investigation 11 hours after his arrest by Thames Valley Police.
Removing Andrew from the line of succession would require an act of Parliament supported by the 14 Commonwealth countries where King Charles III, his brother, is head of state, including Australia.
Albanese’s letter reads: “Dear Prime Minister Starmer, in light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession.
“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.
A spokesman for the UK prime minister confirmed the letter had been received and said the government was considering whether further steps are required in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor”. He said they were “not ruling anything out”.
Removing Andrew from the line of succession would require an act of Parliament approved by MPs and peers, and would come into effect when given royal assent by the King.
Canada, Jamaica and New Zealand are among the Commonwealth countries who would also need to support it.
