Allegations of royal funding in Prince Andrew’s settlement revive deeper questions about the monarchy’s political conduct – from the dismissal of Gough Whitlam to claims of concealed influence and broken trust.

We are now learning that our late Queen and our current King were likely funding the alleged child sex abuser Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in his attempt to silence Virginia Giuffre.

We also know of their active role in the dismissal of Gough Whitlam in 1975. They deceitfully denied their role then but thanks to the work of Jenny Hocking we know without any doubt their scheming to bring down a Labor Prime Minister.

The royals are true to form again, covering up their tracks and pretending that they are more virtuous than others.

But first to the under-cover of the child sexual predator Andrew, Elizabeth’s favourite child.

In the _New York Times_, 21 February Sarah Lyall wrote of the “Queen’s role in the appointment of Andrew as a ‘special representative’ for international trade and investment. The police now appear to be investigating his conduct in that role amid reports that he may have improperly shared government documents with Mr Epstein.The job came with a salary of about £250,000 paid by the Queen and provided so many opportunities for lavish taxpayer financed travel to vacation spots and hobnobbing with dubious foreign leaders that the prince gained a new tabloid nickname Air Miles Andy."

Fintan O’Toole in the Irish Times of 24 February went straight to the royal cover up.

“In 2021 Virginia Giuffre sued then Prince Andrew for sexual assault and intentional infliction of emotional........

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