Senior Labour peer Margaret Hodge has expressed shock that the National Audit Office did not identify Andrew, Duke of York's, property income. The revelation comes after reports emerged of the former prince's subletting activities, raising concerns over the misuse of taxpayers' money.
As the chair of the Public Accounts Committee from 2010 to 2012, Hodge was instrumental in scrutinising the royal finances. Speaking to the media, she stated that it was 'shocking' the National Audit Office had not established Andrew's property income.
Hodge's comments follow an investigation by The Guardian, which revealed that Andrew had rented out his properties without declaring the income. The former prince, who is ninth in line to the throne, is understood to have earned £2.5m from subletting his properties in 2020.
The Labour peer has called for greater transparency in royal finances, arguing that the monarchy should be subject to the same auditing standards as other public bodies. 'It's time for the royal family to be accountable to the public,' Hodge said.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, which is responsible for overseeing the royal finances, has been approached for comment but has yet to respond.
Labour has long been critical of the royal family's finances, arguing that they should be more transparent and accountable to the public.