GB News star Miriam Cates has sparked a fierce debate over "mob rule" in British public life, questioning whether the Prince and Princess of Wales were pressured into making an unprecedented statement on the Jeffrey Epstein scandal.
The row follows a rare intervention from Kensington Palace, which stated that William and Catherine have been "deeply concerned" by the continued revelations about convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and his former wife Sarah Ferguson have both appeared in the documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein.
The former Duke and Duchess of York have always denied any wrongdoing.
Speaking on GB News, Andrew Pierce said: “It’s effectively about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Jeffrey Epstein.
"A Kensington Palace spokesperson said the Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations, and their thoughts remain focused on the victims.
“I think that’s hugely significant, because on foreign trips the focus is normally on the visit itself meeting the host country and their counterparts.
"Royals generally don’t want the trip to be hijacked or overshadowed by domestic matters.
Miriam Cates questioned whether the pair made the statement thanks to 'mob rules'
|GB NEWS
“There had been a lot of pressure in the press over the weekend, with people asking when we might hear something from the royals.
"Apart from Prince Andrew’s appalling Newsnight interview back in 2019, where he expressed no regret for Epstein’s victims, there have only been a couple of begrudging statements and otherwise, nothing.”
Co-host Miriam said: “But do you think we’re now approaching something like mob rule?
"After all, nobody believes that William and Kate approve of Andrew or Epstein. If the press and public demand something loudly enough, does that mean people will simply follow along?
LATEST ON THE EPSTEIN SCANDAL
Princess Kate and Prince William released a statement on the scandal
| PA“It’s the same with Morgan McSweeney it’s like a mob outside No 10, shouting for his head, and eventually, they get it.
"I’m worried that too few people in public life are willing to stand up against the mob anymore.”
Andrew said: “I mean, just talking about Prince Andrew, do you think anyone believes that Prince William and Princess Catherine had any time for him?
"Just look back to the funeral of the Duchess of Kent. If you listen on the radio, you can see Prince Andrew trying to speak to Prince William who looks like he’s stepped in something unpleasant and just wants to get away."
Miriam replied: “I don’t think anyone could accuse William or Catherine of sympathising with Andrew or Epstein, but clearly they felt it necessary to make that statement. It would be interesting to find out who advised them to do so and why."
Andrew added: “Of course, what could happen now is that whenever the royals are out and about, they will be challenged by the press.
"They will be asked questions repeatedly, and until they issue a statement, they’ll continue to be hounded. Prince Edward, for example, was challenged.”
A Kensington Palace spokesman said on behalf of Catherine and William: "The Prince and Princess of Wales have been deeply concerned by the continued revelations. Their thoughts remain focused on the victims."
The Prince and Princess of Wales have become the second and third members of the Royal Family to publicly address the newly released Epstein files.
When questioned by CNN's Eleni Gioko about how he was handling the fallout from the bombshell files, Prince Edward called for the focus to be on the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.
The Duke of Edinburgh said: "I think it's all really important always to remember the victims and who are the victims in all this."