News

Andrew faces public backlash over six-figure ‘relocation payout’

Published

4 months ago

November 1, 2025

Reports suggest King Charles has privately funded deal to help disgraced royal leave Windsor

ANDREW Mountbatten Windsor is reportedly set to receive a six-figure payout and an annual stipend funded by King Charles as part of a deal to relocate from Royal Lodge in Windsor to a private residence on the Sandringham estate.

Sources quoted by The Guardian and The Independent claim the one-off “relocation settlement” is intended to help the former Duke of York cover the costs of moving and adjusting to private life. It is said the annual payment will come from the King’s private funds and is designed to prevent his younger brother from “overspending in his new life as a commoner.”

Andrew, who receives around £20,000 a year from his naval pension, is understood to have agreed to leave the 30-room Royal Lodge following months of tension with the King over his refusal to downsize. The arrangement follows his removal from royal duties and the recent decision to strip him of his remaining titles and honours.

Titles and reputation stripped

Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday that both the King and Queen Camilla’s “thoughts and utmost sympathies remain with the victims and survivors of all forms of abuse.”

The statement came as reports suggested that the decision to finally remove Andrew’s titles was influenced by Camilla’s longstanding involvement with charities supporting victims of domestic and sexual violence. According to The Daily Telegraph, she was “appalled” by Andrew’s ongoing association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and feared it was undermining her work.

The Queen was said to have been “deeply uncomfortable” continuing her patronage of organisations such as SafeLives while Andrew remained a public figure. A new biography by royal correspondent Valentine Low has also revealed that she once fought off a man who groped her as a teenager, strengthening her determination to support survivors.

Royal Lodge dispute ends

The Times reported that Andrew had a “cast-iron” 75-year lease on Royal Lodge but has now served notice to surrender it after lengthy negotiations. His ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, who lived with him at the property, has reportedly chosen not to move to Sandringham and is seeking her own accommodation.

The relocation package would mark the effective end of Andrew’s royal life. He has not undertaken public duties since his disastrous Newsnight interview in 2019 and was excluded as a counsellor of state. His name has now been removed from the official roll of the peerage, meaning the Duke of York title will no longer be used.

Public support for King’s decision

A YouGov poll published on Friday showed overwhelming public backing for the King’s action. Of more than 4,700 adults surveyed, 79 per cent supported stripping Andrew of his titles, though 58 per cent said the royal family had “moved too slowly” to act.

Meanwhile, Downing Street confirmed there are “no plans” for legislation to remove Andrew from the line of succession, where he remains eighth in line to the throne.

Andrew has consistently denied allegations made by Virginia Giuffre that he sexually assaulted her as a teenager. He stepped down from royal duties in 2019 following the interview in which he sought to defend his friendship with Epstein.

The Herald understands that final details of the relocation payout are still being discussed, but the arrangement is likely to be announced once formal papers are exchanged with the Crown Estate and the Treasury.

Crime

Man sentenced for stalking Milford Haven woman

Published

1 hour ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed by Haverfordwest magistrates

A MAN has been sentenced after admitting stalking a woman in Milford Haven.

Andrew Richards, 39, of High Street, Neyland, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

Richards had previously pleaded guilty to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997.

The court heard that between December 2, 2025 and February 15, 2026, he pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the stalking of Tamsin Matthias and which he knew, or ought to have known, amounted to harassment.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until September 8, 2027.

As part of the order, Richards must undertake alcohol treatment for nine months under the direction of the probation service.

He must also complete up to twenty days of rehabilitation activity as directed by probation.

Richards was ordered to pay a £120 fine, £500 compensation to the victim, £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court made a restraining order lasting until September 8, 2027.

Under the order, Richards must not contact the victim directly or indirectly and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material on social media or the internet referring to her directly or indirectly.

The court heard a victim personal statement from the complainant, which was read to the court by the prosecutor.

The case was prosecuted by Dennis Davies, with Richards represented by Mike Kelleher.

The hearing was before magistrates Mrs J Morris, Mr C Pattison and Mr J Steadman.

Crime

Man, 80, sentenced for stalking after campaign of unwanted emails and posters

Published

2 hours ago

March 15, 2026

Court Reporter

Restraining order imposed after Haverfordwest case

A MAN has been sentenced for stalking after admitting a campaign of unwanted contact and harassment in Haverfordwest.

Michael Lockheart, 80, of Daisy Lane, Haverfordwest, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court for sentence on Monday (Mar 9).

The court had previously heard that between July 27 and September 10, 2025, Lockheart pursued a course of conduct which amounted to stalking.

The offence involved sending numerous unwanted emails after being told to stop making contact, putting up defamatory posters in public places, and sending malicious correspondence to the complainant’s GP and local authority.

Lockheart had entered a guilty plea to stalking without fear, alarm or distress, contrary to section 2A(1) and (4) of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, on January 27, 2026.

Magistrates imposed a community order running until March 8, 2028.

As part of that order, Lockheart must undergo non-residential mental health treatment for 12 months under Dr Cormac Duffy, as directed by probation.

He must also complete up to 25 days of rehabilitation activity.

Lockheart was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, a £600 fine, £85 costs and a £114 surcharge.

The court also made a restraining order lasting until March 8, 2028.

Under that order, he must not seek, approach or communicate with the complainant by any means, directly or indirectly. He must not knowingly enter any address where she is living, and must not post, or cause to be posted, any material online or on social media referring to her directly or by implication.

A victim personal statement was read to the court by the prosecutor.