The current cover story of New Statesman is all about how the sex trafficker formerly known as Prince Andrew is the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back for a lot of monarchists. It’s no secret that QEII spent decades covering up for Andrew and helping him out of his significant criminal messes. When QEII died, many thought that King Charles would bring a new energy to “the Andrew Problem,” but Charles is abundantly complicit in the cover-up as well, mostly because, as the New Statesman points out, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor is a product of a corrupt, powerful, decaying institution. They don’t want to really punish Andrew because that would end up chipping away at their power, their double-dealing and their corruption. Well, the anti-monarchy group Republic is now saying that they will pursue Andrew through a “private prosecution,” only I’m not sure what that will entail. Note: this story came out hours before King Charles removed all of Andrew’s titles.

Prince Andrew is facing the possibility of a private prosecution after the anti-monarchy campaign group Republic instructed lawyers to examine allegations of sexual assault, corruption, and misconduct in public office. Republic told The Royalist it had been forced to act by the weak response of the authorities, arguing that the police and politicians have “looked the other way” and been overly deferential toward the King’s brother. The group believes there is clearly sufficient evidence to justify a serious criminal investigation.

Republic’s chief executive, Graham Smith, said: “If not us, then who? It’s a devastating indictment on the U.K.’s criminal justice system, police and politicians – not to mention the King and heir – that we must resort to a private prosecution. It should be a cause for concern that so many people believe – rightly in my view – that the royals are not treated equally in law. Equality in law is a basic tenet of democracy.”

Mr Smith added: “I firmly believe there is strong enough evidence to justify a serious investigation. The authorities and politicians appear to want to look the other way, while minimizing the accusations made against Andrew. The truth must prevail and justice must be seen to be done.”

A private prosecution is a long-established legal right in England and Wales that allows a member of the public to bring criminal charges when the police or CPS decline to act. In principle, it can be used for serious offences such as sexual assault, corruption, or misconduct in public office — but the process is demanding. The individual bringing the case must provide all of the evidence themselves, including witness statements and expert or forensic material where required, and they do not have police powers to seize or compel evidence.

Most people therefore engage specialist solicitors and barristers early on, which is what Republic appear to have done. The next step would involve drafting and submitting charges to a regional Magistrates’ Court, along with a clear summary of the allegations and supporting evidence. If Republic reaches this point, a magistrate will then consider whether there is a basic evidential foundation before issuing a summons. Under the U.K. system, the state still has an absolute right to take over any private prosecution and discontinue it if it believes there is insufficient evidence, that the case is not in the public interest, or that the prosecution would conflict with broader public policy considerations.

Alongside possible U.K. action, Andrew could also face a request for co-operation by U.S. authorities over the alleged sharing of Ms Giuffre’s personal data without consent. The situation now places the prince under simultaneous pressure from campaigners, Parliament, law enforcement, and the palace, with no sign that the issue is close to resolution.

Asked if the palace might quietly favor an independent prosecution of Andrew, Smith told The Daily Beast: “I don’t think the palace want this anywhere near a court.”

[From The Royalist Substack]

It’s true that the palace doesn’t want Andrew and his crimes anywhere near a court. I just don’t believe that Republic will get this to court at all. Which makes me remember Virginia Giuffre’s civil case against Andrew, and how “sources close to Andrew” huffed and puffed about how he was going to destroy her in court, and then when the court date got closer and closer, he settled with Virginia, using money given to him by his mother and brother. That was the closest Andrew ever got to paying the price for his crimes. What Republic is doing here will embarrass Andrew and the royals, of course. But nothing will happen at the end of the day. The bigger question is whether Parliament will really do a larger inquiry into Andrew, the Giuffre settlement and more.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.