The arrangement by which Andrew Windsor, son of the head of state, leases a 30-bed house in Windsor from the Crown Estate, (a publicly owned portfolio of property and other assets), has caused widespread criticism.
However the Labour government has been doing its best to protect the super-wealthy Windsor family and the feudal institution that it heads, from democratic accountability, blatantly deferring to their wish for a cover-up instead of acting in the interests of the people.
According to the Financial Times (FT) Downing Street has argued that the House of Commons should not debate the matter because “the royal family would not want parliament to waste valuable time discussing the issue”.
A more sycophantic excuse for putting the interests of the Windsor family first is difficult to imagine.
The Public Accounts Committee showed a better understanding of its responsibilities by at least seeking more information about the arrangement from the Crown Estate, which owns the house, and from the Treasury.
However Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, who chairs the committee and uses the feudal title of “Sir”, also dismissed the idea of a full enquiry into the house lease.
The Speaker of the House said that there were ways for the House of Commons to discuss the lease but he was not able to allocate time for such a debate.
Downing Street then stepped in to further protect the Windsors. It said that it would not provide time for a debate because “We know the royal family would not want to take time from other important issues”.
So the supposed wishes of the feudal Windsor family are to determine what the legislature may debate if the government has its way.
The Liberal Democrat party leader Ed Davey (who also uses a feudal of “Sir”, signifying a knighthood) called for a select committee to look into the affair. It is unclear, however, whether Mr Windsor could be forced to give evidence to such a enquiry although there is no good reason why not apart from his absurd status as “royal”.
Lib Dem MP Sarah Olney, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, stated that Mr Windsor could be called to give evidence according to news media reports.
The Scottish National Party was also not been completely coved. It has lodged a motion that would take away Windsor’s title of “duke”.