The Australian prime minister has backed calls to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of succession amid claims the former prince used taxpayers’ money for massages during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
Andrew was arrested on 19 February on suspicion of misconduct in public office after being accused of sharing sensitive information with paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
The arrest has sparked calls for Andrew to be removed from the line of succession. In a statement on Monday, Australian PM Anthony Albanese said that Andrew was facing “grave allegations”, adding: “Australians take them seriously.”
Removing Andrew from the line of succession would require an Act of Parliament and agreement from all other nations where Charles III is currently head of state.
Elsewhere, retired civil servants told the BBC on Monday that Andrew used taxpayers’ money for massages during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
One ex-civil servant said they refused to pay to cover the costs of a massage for Andrew, but were overruled by senior staff, telling the broadcaster: “I’d said we mustn’t pay it, but we ended up paying it anyway.”
On Sunday, the Prince and Princess of Wales made their first joint public appearance since the arrest at the Bafta awards. Speaking at the event, William said he was not in a “calm state”.
Police have been searching Andrew’s former Royal Lodge home on the Windsor estate since his arrest.
Emails released by the US Department of Justice appeared to show the former duke sharing reports of official visits with Epstein when he was a UK trade envoy.
Andrew, who has consistently denied all claims made against him in relation to Epstein, was held in custody for 11 hours before being released under investigation.
He was then pictured slouched in the back of a vehicle as he left Aylsham police station in Norfolk after being released.
Follow the latest updates below as the fallout from Andrew’s arrest continues
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