Canada‘s Prime Minister Mark Carney has called for Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to be removed from the royal line of succession over his ‘deplorable’ links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The former prince was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office, following allegations he shared sensitive information with the convicted paedophile financier while serving as the UK’s trade envoy.
Mr Carney, who is on a trip to Tokyo, said: ‘I certainly think his actions are deplorable and have caused him to be stripped of his royal titles, certainly merit, if that’s the word – necessitate is a better word – his removal from the line of succession.’
The prime ministers of Australia and New Zealand have previously said they would support the UK Government in any plans to remove Andrew from the line of succession.
Such a move would require an Act of Parliament and the agreement of the Commonwealth realms, including Canada.
Mr Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, added: ‘Even though he is well down the line, the point of principle stands.’
Andrew has denied any wrongdoing over his links to the convicted sex offender, but has not directly responded to the latest allegations.
The disgraced former prince was last pictured looking shell-shocked in the back of a Land Rover on February 19, after spending around 11hours in police custody on his 66th birthday.
The former prince Andrew was arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (right) made the comments while on a visit to Japan
Searches were conducted at his home on the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk and at his former home, Royal Lodge in Windsor, Berkshire, as police vans were pictured entering and leaving the premises.
Andrew served as the UK’s special representative for international trade and investment from 2001 until 2011, when he stepped down amid controversy over his friendship with Epstein.
It is understood that the UK Government will consider introducing such legislation once police have finished their investigation into the King’s disgraced brother.
In a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in February, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Andrew was facing ‘grave allegations’, adding: ‘Australians take them seriously’.
A spokesperson for Christopher Luxon, New Zealand’s prime minister, said: ‘If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it.
‘The UK Government has said any proposals would come after the police investigation concludes.’
Defence Secretary John Healey last month ordered a review of military files for any evidence that Epstein used RAF bases to traffic girls into the UK.
Mr Healey tasked officials with trawling through more than two decades of Ministry of Defence records and handing over to police any flight logs linked to the late paedophile financier.
Andrew was last pictured looking shell-shocked in the back of a Range Rover after spending around 11hours in police custody
The former prince pictured with Virginia Giuffre (centre) and Ghislaine Maxwell (right). Ms Giuffre alleged she was forced to have sex with Andrew in London
It comes after former prime minister Gordon Brown wrote to six police forces demanding investigations into whether Andrew used jets, funded by the taxpayer, and RAF bases during his time as trade envoy to meet Epstein.
A lip reader has also claimed that Andrew Windsor issued a desperate plea to his nephew, Prince William, during their famously tense conversation at the Duchess of Kent’s funeral last September.
In a new Channel 5 TV series, forensic lip reader Nicola Hickling claimed the ex-Duke of York used the moment at Westminster Cathedral to plead for William’s forgiveness.
All the senior royals were present, including Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, who both came to pay tribute to the wife of his late mother’s cousin, who died aged 92.
The tense photographed moment happened on the steps of the church after the service as they waited for their cars.
Andrew apparently asks William, who was joined by his wife Kate: ‘I’ve learnt from what I’ve done but before I forget, and if I can, I’d like to ask you if you can forgive?’
The funeral was one of Andrew and Sarah Ferguson’s last official public appearances for the Royal Family before the scandal over their links to Epstein exploded.
King Charles released a statement after his brother’s arrest saying that ‘the law must take its course’, expressing his deep concern and reassurance of full cooperation with the authorities.