SNP Lodges Parliamentary Motion to Strip Prince Andrew of Dukedom Amid Epstein Scandal

The Scottish National Party (SNP) has lodged a parliamentary motion urging the UK government to formally strip Prince Andrew of his royal titles, including the Dukedom of York, through an Act of Parliament. Despite Prince Andrew voluntarily relinquishing these titles amid ongoing allegations related to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the titles remain legally held and can only be removed by legislation. SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn criticized the government's delay, emphasizing that power and privilege have allowed those involved in the Epstein scandal to evade accountability, and called for immediate legislative action without further excuses. The government has stated that the issue is primarily a matter for the palace, with ministers supporting King Charles's judgment on Andrew's titles, but they have not initiated parliamentary proceedings to remove them. The SNP's motion also references the Titles Deprivation Act 1917 as a precedent for removing royal titles through Parliament. Flynn warned that failure by the Labour government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer to act would amount to defending the indefensible and protecting privilege over justice for Epstein's victims.