The Daily Populous Saturday February 21st, 2026 morning edition
Authored by bbc.co.uk and submitted by EnglishLouis

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Any Questions programme, Pollard confirmed the government had "absolutely" been working with Buckingham Palace on the plans to stop the former prince from "potentially being a heartbeat away from the throne".

He said this was "something that I hope will enjoy cross party support, but its right that that is something that only happens when the police investigation concludes".

On Saturday, several unmarked police cars were again seen entering Royal Lodge, the 30-room Windsor property where Andrew lived for many years.

At one point on Friday more than 20 vehicles could be seen parked at the property, although it is not known it all was connected to the investigation and searches.

Thames Valley Police, the force which arrested him, is expected to continue searching Royal Lodge until Monday, the BBC understands.

The government's proposal comes after some MPs, including the Liberal Democrats and SNP, signalled their support for such legislation.

Some Labour parliamentarians who have been critical of the monarchy told the BBC they were less convinced the move was required - in part because it is so unlikely the former Duke of York would ever get near to the throne.

In October, Downing Street said it had no plans to introduce a law to change the line of succession.

After the latest revelations, historian David Olusoga told BBC Newsnight there is now "a desperate desire within government and within the palace to draw a firewall… between this crisis and the wider monarchy".

Buckingham Palace has not publicly commented on the government's plans to remove Andrew from the line of succession.

rantingathome on February 20th, 2026 at 18:29 UTC »

Does he deserve to be removed? Damn right.

My preference would be that they don't make it Andrew specific though. Make it that any Royal that is convicted of certain crimes automatically gets removed by statute and pass it in all realms. Possibly also a process by which the sitting monarch can remove someone from the line if required, and have it automatically apply in all realms.

This way if there is ever another "andrew", all the realms don't have to pass more laws.

S_K_Sharma_ on February 20th, 2026 at 18:17 UTC »

The first Royal arrested since Charles the First in 1642.

I know he hasn't been convicted of anything... but this really is an easy decision.

Little-Chemical5006 on February 20th, 2026 at 18:04 UTC »

They havent yet? Wow