The scandal surrounding Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor is driving citizens of Scotland, and beyond, to question the role of the Royal Family in the nation states of the UK and Commonwealth. Mountbatten-Windsor appears to think as a man of considerable privilege and wealth that he – and his circle of wealthy friends – are above the law, can act with impunity and escape justice. That may be about to change.
Scotland should choose democracy over monarchy
Scottish Green MSP Patrick Harvie has called for a national debate on the future of the monarchy, arguing that Scotland should have the opportunity to become a modern, democratic nation in light of further revelations relating to Jeffrey Epstein.
The Scottish Greens argue that any future constitutional settlement for Scotland should be decided democratically, with the public having a direct say in the form of head of state.
Patrick Harvie’s statement asking for a national debate:
“According to a new poll, most people want the King to press his brother to provide evidence to US police.
“We have seen serious and disturbing scandals involving senior political figures, alongside Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s membership of the ‘Epstein class’.
“The former Prince was appointed by the Monarchy as a trade envoy without any transparent recruitment process, and he went on to use the position to claim a huge expense bill for luxury travel.
“Years later, the Monarchy also funded most of his legal defence against allegations of sexual abuse. His behaviour clearly needs criminal investigation, but we should be equally outraged at the way the Palace bankrolled and protected him.
“Countries across the Commonwealth are rightly reconsidering their relationship with the Monarchy and it is time for Scotland to do the same.
“It is an outdated and fundamentally undemocratic institution. It is built on nepotism and privilege, and it dodges the transparency we should be able to expect of those in power.
“At a time when families across Scotland are struggling with soaring energy bills, rising food prices and stagnant wages, it is indefensible that vast sums of public money are spent on an institution that none of us has ever voted for and handed to a family that has not earned it.
“Scotland can be a modern European nation with an elected and accountable head of state, operating within a written constitution that protects human rights and holds power accountable.
“It also gives us the opportunity to ensure that public wealth currently tied up in Crown assets, from land to palaces, is used for the common good, not as a plaything for the elite.”
Time to come clean
This story will not go away until Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor does the honourable thing and takes himself off to Washington and tells the truth before a Congressional committee about what he knows of the Epstein-Maxwell cabal. This is the only way to stop this erosion of trust in the Royal Family, in politicians and in the rule of law and in democracy itself. According to a new YouGov poll for Sky News, 82% of respondents said that King Charles should encourage his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor to testify to the US Congress about Epstein.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor owes it to all the victims. It is the least he can do now as a man, as a decent human being and a father of young women.
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