Did Tony Blair Help Sweeten Andrew's Royal Lodge Deal?
When Tony Blair was Prime Minister in 2003, a favorable arrangement was made allowing the then Prince Andrew to move into Royal Lodge under a lease from the Crown Estate. The deal effectively enabled him to live there rent-free.
Questions are now being raised about whether Sir Tony Blair might be called before the Commons Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to explain his role in this arrangement concerning Andrew Mountbatten Windsor’s lease.
Blair had earlier supported appointing Andrew as Special Representative for International Trade and Investment in 2001. Two years later, Andrew signed a 75-year lease on Royal Lodge with the Crown Estate, an entity overseen by the Treasury.
At the time, Blair was viewed as a supporter of Andrew. Some speculate that relationship might explain the favorable terms of the lease.
“We need to know who knew what about that lease. Was there political involvement and if so, what did Blair know? The PAC should haul him in.”
Meanwhile, on the Thursday edition of Have I Got News For You, recording was briefly interrupted when news broke that Andrew had been stripped of his title.
“The bad news is he’s become King,” joked panellist Paul Merton.
Host Jason Manford clarified the situation by adding, “He’s losing his lease on Royal Lodge… I’ve heard Rachel Reeves has a place to rent though.”
Author’s Summary
Tony Blair’s connections to Prince Andrew’s favorable Royal Lodge lease raise questions about possible political influence linked to decisions made during Blair’s tenure as Prime Minister.