Australia backs removing Andrew from royal line of succession
Sir Keir Starmer, Australia's prime minister, has told that his government will endorse proposals to ban Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the line of royal
In a letter sent to the UK Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese expressed his support for such a plan.
Despite being stripped of his titles, including prince,
in October amid rumours about his ties to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew, the King's brother, remains eighth in line to the throne.
The UK government is considering removing him from the line of succession order. It came after Andrew's detention on suspicion of misconduct in a public office on Thursday. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The former prince was released under an 11-hour probe by Thames Valley Police, only 11 hours after being arrested by Thames River Police.
Albanese's letter reads: "Dear Prime Minister Starmer, in the aftermath of recent events surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to inform you that my government would not accept any plan to exclude him from the line of royal succession.
"I agree with His Majesty that the legislation must now follow its full course and that an exhaustive, fair, and proper investigation must be conducted.
"These are serious allegations, and Australians are concerned.
Following his brother Andrew's detention, King Charles said, "What now follows is the complete, fair, and legal process by which this matter is investigated in the correct manner and by the appropriate authorities.
An act of Parliament would have to be drafted to remove him from the line of succession. This will need to be accepted by MPs and peers, and it will go into place when the King's royal assent is granted.
It will also need the support of the 14 Commonwealth countries where King Charles is the head of state, including Australia.
Buckingham Palace has not commented on the government's proposal to ban Andrew from the line of succession.
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