An SNP MP is calling on the UK Government to strip Prince Andrew of all his remaining titles, including the Earl of Inverness.
Graham Leadbitter, MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey, has signed a motion in Parliament demanding the Labour Government take urgent action.
The renewed pressure comes amid growing questions over Prince Andrew’s links to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Those questions focus on when the Duke of York severed ties with Epstein or if he ever truly did.
In a posthumous memoir, Virginia Giuffre alleges Prince Andrew’s team hired “internet trolls” to harass her online, raising fresh concern about how victims of the scandal have been treated.
Leadbitter said the time for excuses is over.
“The UK Government and Westminster parties have moved stubbornly slow on this,” he said.
“So the SNP has taken action to do the right thing and strip Prince Andrew of his titles.”
Prince Andrew currently retains the title of Earl of Inverness, despite widespread public opposition.
In 2022, more than 11,000 people signed a petition calling for the title to be removed.
At present, only an Act of Parliament can legally strip royal titles, but the UK Government has so far refused to allocate time for a debate.
Leadbitter criticised the Labour Government for failing to act, pointing to its recent defence of Peter Mandelson, who also had ties to Epstein.
Last month, the SNP led a push to have Mandelson removed from his post as UK Ambassador to the United States.
“What exactly is Keir Starmer’s government waiting for?” said Leadbitter.
“Why have they acted so slowly given how disastrously their defence of Peter Mandelson worked out, a man who was also closely connected to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein?”
“The public deserves answers,” he added.
“So do the people of Inverness who have called, in their droves, for action to be taken on this for years.”
Leadbitter warned that failure to act would amount to complicity.
“If the Labour Party fails to act against Prince Andrew, they are consciously choosing to sit on their hands and choosing to defend the indefensible,” he said.
“What reasons can the Labour Government possibly have to protect a man who is hiding behind his privilege and position?”
“For the sake of Jeffrey Epstein’s victims and everything that’s right I hope the Labour party listens to the SNP and quickly removes Prince Andrew’s titles.”
