New Zealand backs Albanese’s move to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from line of succession
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has joined Anthony Albanese’s call to back any attempt to remove disgraced former prince Andrew from the line of succession.Mr Albanese wrote to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday night, offering his support for any legislative amendments needed to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor, which would likely require assent from all countries in the realm.On Tuesday, a spokerson for Mr Luxon confirmed Australia’s cross-Tasman partner would be following suit.“If the UK Government proposes to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor from the order of succession, New Zealand would support it,” the Prime Minister’s office said in a statement seen by local media.“The UK government has said any proposals would come after the police investigation concludes.”Sign-up to our weekly newsletter for freeSign upCamera IconAnthony Albanese with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. NewsWire/ Miles Holden Credit: NewsWireMr Luxon later told the media he had been in contact with the UK Cabinet office and that all options were on the table.“The bottom line is no one is above the law and once that investigation is closed, should the UK government decide to remove him from the line of succession, that is something we would support,” he told local media.It comes after Mr Albanese said the allegations against former prince Andrew render him unfit as a potential head of the commonwealth.Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, eighth in line to the throne, was arrested as part of a police investigation into alleged misconduct while in public office.He was released under investigation.Mr Mountbatten-Windsor had already been stripped of his royal titles over his close personal ties to American pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.This week, Mr Albanese wrote to his UK counterpart Keir Starmer to voice support to remove the exiled royal from the line of succession, making Australia the first commonwealth country to do so.On Tuesday, Mr Albanese explained the intervention was in the public interest and that Australia had not been asked by Mr Starmer for its position.Camera IconAnthony Albanese has written to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer about the former prince. Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street Credit: Supplied“I think Australians want to know that the Australian government regards these allegations and regards Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor as being not appropriate to be in the line of secession, to be our head of state,” Mr Albanese told the ABC.“I think that Australians are disgusted by all of the revelations about the Epstein files and the connections between Epstein and various public figures.“And they want the Australian government to be clear about our position. And that is precisely what I’ve done.”NED-8647 Royal Line of SuccessionMr Albanese would be writing to his commonwealth counterparts to inform them of Australia’s position, he said.Mr Starmer is reportedly considering legislative amendments to strip Mr Mountbatten-Windsor of his right to ascend.On Monday, it was revealed that Mr Albanese had written to Mr Starmer and offered his support.“Dear Prime Minister Starmer, In light of recent events concerning Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, I am writing to confirm that my government would agree to any proposal to remove him from the line of royal succession,” the letter reads.“I agree with His Majesty that the law must now take its full course and there must be a full, fair and proper investigation.“These are grave allegations and Australians take them seriously.”Camera IconA photo of former prince Andrew released by US officials. US Department of Justice Credit: Supplied Source KnownIt is understood Mr Albanese has also written to the states and territories to ask for their support.The process of removing Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is unprecedented and legally fraught, potentially involving all parliaments of all dominions of the commonwealth and up-ending legal precedent dating back centuries.In Australia, it is understood any legislative change in the UK cannot be applied here, meaning separate amendments would need to be put forward.Mr Mountbatten-Windsor is the second-born son of Queen Elizabeth II.In recent years, he has been plagued by controversy, including a 2022 out-of-court settlement with Australian Epstein-accuser Virginia Giuffre, who alleged she was assaulted by the then prince.Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has never made any admission of guilt and is not suggested to have assaulted Ms Giuffre, who took her own life last year.Camera IconJeffrey Epstein took his own life while in prison in 2019. US Department of Justice Credit: Supplied Source KnownHis trainwreck interview with BBC’s Newsnight in 2019 led to him largely stepping back from public life.Epstein took his life in a New York prison that same year.Last year, US Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which was signed into law by US President Donald Trump.The Bill forced the Department of Justice to release all records related to Epstein.Initially scant, a vast trove of documents has been made available in recent weeks, many including unredacted names of victims and their details.news.com.au mental health helplinesDomestic Violence helplines
