It has been a tumultuous week in British politics and royal circles, with headlines dominated by a series of controversies and policy debates that have gripped the nation. From mounting pressure on Prince Andrew over his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, to a proposed new mansion tax and the government’s urgent search for asylum seeker accommodation, the landscape is shifting fast—and not always in predictable ways.
According to The Sunday Times, Prince Andrew is facing what the paper bluntly calls "humiliation in the Commons." For the first time in years, the Liberal Democrats are set to break convention by raising Andrew’s conduct in Parliament. This move comes amid growing calls for the prince to be permanently stripped of his Dukedom and his 30-room mansion at Windsor, following renewed public outrage over his relationship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The debate is expected to be fierce, with MPs considering not just Andrew’s titles but also the status of his residence, Royal Lodge, which he has leased since 2003 on a 75-year agreement.
The pressure on Andrew has been building for months, but it reached a fever pitch after the publication of the posthumous memoirs of Virginia Giuffre, his sexual assault accuser, earlier this week. Giuffre, who tragically took her own life in April, alleged in her memoir "Nobody’s Girl" that she was forced to have sex with Andrew three times, including once in London when she was 17. Andrew has always vehemently denied these claims. Nevertheless, the book has reignited debate about the prince’s accountability and the broader issue of royal privilege. As The Independent reports, a source close to King Charles has said, "Charles has to say to his face, ‘There’s no choice here, you must now leave Royal Lodge. Whatever the lease says. You say you always put your family and country first. Prove it. This is doing real damage to the monarchy. You’ve got to move.’"
The situation is further complicated by the legal nuances. The Metropolitan Police have, for the third time, declined to launch a criminal investigation into Andrew, citing insufficient evidence and jurisdictional complexities. Former Met commissioner Cressida Dick stated, "No one is above the law," but the force ultimately decided not to proceed. Family court and women’s rights barrister Dr Charlotte Proudman has since called for the investigation to be reopened, arguing that police have a "pattern of minimising violence against women and girls."
Meanwhile, the political ramifications are spreading beyond the royal family. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey has called for a parliamentary inquiry into the Royal Lodge revelations, and Business Secretary Peter Kyle urged Andrew to cooperate fully with US authorities investigating Epstein’s crimes. "Anybody that has any information that could bring justice and information to victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes should be fully engaging with any of the authorities," Kyle told ITV’s Good Morning Britain. Shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick echoed this sentiment, insisting that Andrew should give evidence to US authorities "about what he knew and what his involvement was."
But the royal drama is only one part of a broader political storm. The Mail on Sunday revealed that Chancellor Rachel Reeves is planning a new "mansion tax," targeting owners of properties worth at least £2 million. Under the proposal, owners would face an annual charge of 1% on the amount exceeding £2 million. This plan is already sparking fierce debate, with critics warning that it could hit not only the ultra-wealthy but also middle-class families in property hotspots. The Independent on Sunday adds that Reeves is under pressure to go further, with some urging her to increase income tax for the highest earners to address the UK’s fiscal challenges.
Housing policy is also in the spotlight, as the Sunday Express reports that more than 90% of councils in England are expected to house asylum seekers by the end of 2025. The Home Office, according to documents obtained by the paper, is scrambling to find accommodation for over 66,000 people as it moves to shut down migrant hotels. Options on the table include repurposing military bases and disused properties. A Home Office spokesperson confirmed, "The government is considering the use of military bases and disused properties." This comes after the farcical episode reported by The Sunday Telegraph, in which asylum seeker Hadush Kebatu was mistakenly released from prison on October 24, 2025, and tried four or five times to return, only to be turned away by staff who directed him to a railway station. The incident has drawn comparisons to the government’s "one-in, one-out" immigration policy, fueling criticism of the system’s competence and compassion.
International affairs have not been left out of the weekend’s headlines. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned in an interview with The Sunday Times that the UK would be "in the line of fire" if Russia attacked a NATO country. Tusk expressed his shock at what he described as "public complacency about the UK’s safety," and emphasized that Ukraine is prepared to continue fighting Russia for another three years if necessary. His comments serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threats facing Europe and the importance of international solidarity in the face of aggression.
Elsewhere, French detectives are investigating the theft of £76 million worth of jewels from the Louvre in Paris, which they now believe was an inside job involving a member of the museum’s security team, according to The Sunday Telegraph. The revelation has sent shockwaves through the art world and raised questions about security protocols at one of the world’s most famous institutions.
On a lighter note, the Mail on Sunday reports that the Bar Council has told barristers they are now free to "ditch their wigs," describing the traditional horsehair headpieces as "uncomfortable" and "impractical" for some people. This marks the end of a centuries-old tradition and symbolizes a broader shift toward modernizing the legal profession.
Amid this swirl of controversy, debate, and change, one thing is clear: Britain is at a crossroads, grappling with questions of privilege, accountability, and the shape of its future. The coming weeks promise further drama—both in Parliament and beyond—as the country confronts these issues head-on.
