Prince Andrew: Corbyn says monarchy needs ‘improvement’ after Epstein abuse scandal

Labour leader says victims must be put first

Jeremy Corbyn has said the monarchy needs “improvement” following the scandal over Prince Andrew’s friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

The Labour leader and PM Boris Johnson were asked about their views on the monarchy during a televised head-to-head debate on Tuesday night.

“It needs a bit of improvement,” Mr Corbyn said immediately, attracting applause.

Giving his own answer Mr Johnson said: “The institution of the monarchy is beyond reproach!”

Asked specifically about the allegations around Prince Andrew, Mr Corbyn replied: “Before we discuss Prince Andrew I think we should discuss the victims that are there because of what Epstein was doing and I think there are very, very serious questions that must be answered and nobody should be above the law.

“But the primary position ought to be the proper treatment of those people who were victims of the most appalling behaviour by apparently Epstein and many others.”

Following him, Mr Johnson said: “I think all our sympathies should be obviously with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein and the law must certainly take its course.”

Mr Corbyn is a republican in principle, but has previously said he would not seek to abolish the monarchy if he became prime minister.

On Tuesday some organisations announced that they were cutting or considering cutting ties with the Prince over the latest controversy. Standard Chartered bank said that it would cut ties with his business mentoring initiative, Pitch@Palace, joining financial services firm KPMG which also pulled out.

Earlier in the week, the Huddersfield students’ union passed a motion calling on the prince to resign as their university’s chancellor.