Keir Starmer wants answers on Andrew’s palace for peanuts deal

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The spotlight isn’t just for royals on palace balconies anymore now it’s shining straight into the leasehold arrangements of Windsor’s more controversial resident.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has thrown his support behind a potential inquiry into Prince Andrew’s ongoing occupancy of Royal Lodge, suggesting it’s high time for a little more transparency when it comes to who gets what in Crown properties and why. Advertisement

During a pointed exchange in Prime Minister’s Questions, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey asked whether Labour would support a select committee inquiry into the Royal Lodge saga, specifically calling for all parties involved “including the current occupant” to be summoned for evidence.

Starmer didn’t hesitate. “It’s important in relation to all properties, Crown properties, that there is proper scrutiny,” he said. “So I certainly support that.”

Who knew peppercorns could be so pricey? Andrew is facing fresh scrutiny after it was revealed that he’s been holding onto his Royal Lodge estate in Windsor for more than 20 years while paying a grand total of one peppercorn a year in rent. And even that’s only “if demanded.”

While most people are tightening their belts over rent hikes, the Duke of York has been chilling rent free in one of the Crown Estate’s prime properties.

He shares the sprawling mansion with his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson.

But the sweet deal doesn’t stop there. According to a National Audit Office report, Andrew was also required to fork out £7.5 million for renovations completed in 2005.  

Still, critics say that doesn’t justify the symbolic annual fee and are questioning whether the public purse has been shortchanged.

If Andrew ever decides to give up the keys, the Crown Estate which channels its revenue into the Treasury to help fund public services would owe him £558,000.