Andrew being stripped of royal titles 'vindication' for campaigners, says Stephen Flynn

Stephen Flynn has said the decision to strip Prince Andrew of his royal titles is “vindication” for those who campaigned for it.

On Thursday, Charles stripped his younger sibling of his Prince and Duke of York titles after the continued public outcry over his connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and sexual assault claims.

Andrew, who denies the allegations, has also agreed to move out of his 30-room home.

However the King’s disgraced brother will not move from his Windsor mansion to Sandringham until after Christmas, because of the lengthy process of giving up his home.

The Royal Family traditionally gather to celebrate Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk, and the delay will mean any potential encounter with Andrew over the festive period is avoided.

‘Public anger and outrage’

Flynn said the decision to strip Andrew of his titles was “vindication” for those who have been campaigning for the move, after he urged the UK Government to act “swiftly” on the issue.

The SNP’s Westminster leader told STV News: “It’s a vindication for the tireless campaigning and courage of Virginia Giuffre, her friends and family over very many years.

“It’s a vindication for the public in their anger and outrage.”

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn STV News

He added: “The King has shown leadership and made a definitive statement. There are still questions outstanding around the issue.

“I have been troubled that he has been able to go about his business with impunity and lied to the public.”

After the King’s dramatic decision to take action against his brother, now known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor, the disgraced former duke is said to be “sanguine” about events, according to the Telegraph newspaper.

The King will privately fund Andrew’s accomodation at an undisclosed property on the Sandringham estate in the New Year, with the monarch also making private financial provisions for his brother.

The former prince had a “cast-iron” lease for his Royal Lodge home and only after negotiations with the King’s representatives did he agree to serve formal notice on Thursday to surrender the lease, which had more than 50 years left to run.