According to one royal biographer and historian who knew the former Prince Andrew, removing him from the line of succession is "pointless". Andrew Lownie told TalkTV host Julia Hartley-Brewer that it is a "complete gesture of politics" to start parliamentary proceedings to remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, who is eighth in line to the throne.

Julia began the discussion by asking: "What do you make of the moves we have had, the Australians and now the New Zealand governments saying they would back a call - we're looking at this being many years down the line, realistically, if there is any police action - for an act of Parliament which would take Andrew out of the line of succession?

"[He's] currently eighth in the line of succession after William and his children, then Harry and his children.

"Is that really necessary and is that a rather more complicated affair than many people think, especially with Caribbean nations who have been looking at [not] having the King as the head of state and perhaps asking for something in return?"

Lownie responded: "It's a complete gesture of politics, it's completely pointless. I mean, it serves no purpose.

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"He's not going to become king, he's not going to be a councillor of state and the Royal Family wouldn't want a parliamentary debate about that in any case.

"I think the focus has to be on accountability from the Royal Family and justice served for the [alleged] victims against Andrew."

Andrew has always denied all allegations of wrongdoing. He was released by police after his arrest last week under investigation.