Princess snubs rent check on palace

Class war came to Kensington Palace this afternoon when MPs inspected the royal residence and said that they were astonished at the splendour on show.

MPs from the Commons Public Accounts Committee were shown around but not allowed into any of the royal areas after Princess Michael of Kent apparently refused them access.

The banned MPs emerged from a two-hour tour of the palace branding the Kents' peppercorn rent "scandalous" - and demanding they move out.

Ian Davidson, MP for Glasgow Pollock, said: "The Kents should do the decent thing and move to a house that they pay for themselves. Prince Michael and his wife undertake no public duties whatsoever, yet live here at a peppercorn rent."

Speaking in front of the palace gates, he said: "What we have discovered is an outrage. It's indefensible. When the committee makes their recommendations, I think it's reasonable to expect that some action will be taken."

Alan Williams, MP for Swansea West, said: "Prince Michael pays the princely sum of £69 per week. To call it a scandal is an understatement when you think of the anguish about public service sector workers in London who cannot afford to live even in tiny apartments.

"What Prince Michael pays is to cover gas and electricity.

It's about time they moved." The MP pointed out a nearby street, known by locals as "millionaires' row", saying: "Those four-bedroom houses beyond the perimeter of the palace would be rented for about £98,000 per year.

"The most anybody is paying in Kensington Palace is Sir Michael Peat, who pays about £45,000 a year, and that is half what it should be." Sir Michael, keeper of the privy purse, who oversees royal finances, had promised the MPs that he would reduce a £200,000 shortfall in the palace budget, currently paid for by the taxpayer.

But Mr Williams said: "The £200,000 deficit is irrelevant. It's all about the value of the property and what is and is not being paid." Mr Davidson called promises by the Queen to move all royals from the palace over forthcoming years "a smokescreen".

He said: "The Queen cannot be compelled to make any changes. She says that she has made commitments to members of her family that they can live there but will not allow any other family members to move in.

" It ' s a smokescreen because those inside the palace can keep on renewing their leases."

He added: "I think public opinion will sway her on this. I've been chasing royal finances for the last 10 years, and in my experience it's only when the Royal Family are under pressure that they move on an issue."

Asked if he would like to live in a Kensington Palace apartment for £69 a week, he laughed and said: "Yes please!"

He also said that Sir Michael had acknowledged during the meeting that banning the group from the Kents' flat was "a bit of a mistake".

Smiling, he added: "He must have taken soundings from the royals."

He went on: "Only those in direct line should be allowed to live here - only Prince Charles and his sons."

However, committee chairman Tory MP Edward Leigh said that he thought Sir Michael's plans to curb finances were "very reasonable", adding that he hoped Kensington Palace residents would "do the decent thing". He said: "I am sure that those people who live here can understand the public concern about it."

Mr Leigh added after discussions with Sir Michael: "The long-term plan is to empty this palace and remove the security cordon so it is open to the public and more commercial - and that is something we welcome."

Evidence of the Kents' luxurious lifestyle was provided when a van from Harrods arrived with provisions for the family from the store ' s food hall. Minutes after the van arrived at 12.15, Princess Michael left the palace in a chauffeur-driven BMW.

While controversy rages in London, Prince and Princess Michael are to open their Cotswolds country home to the public. Nether Lypiatt Manor, near Stroud, will open its gates on 2 July.

Admission fees will go to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association Forces Help, of which Prince Michael is national president.

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