Labour prefer to dodge Prince Andrew scandal despite growing disquiet

Parliamentary rules forbid debates about the conduct of royals, which some consider a fig leaf for inaction

The shocking new allegations about the extent of Prince Andrew’s connections with Jeffery Epstein have dominated front pages and airwaves but there is one powerful institution which is effectively barred from discussing it – parliament.

There is growing disquiet among MPs about strict guidance that means the disgraced royal cannot be the subject of any parliamentary debate – including whether he can be formally stripped of his titles.