BBC viewers have been left less than impressed with former politician Rory Stewart after he delivered his take on the recent media spotlight shone on Prince Andrew.
Andrew has been engulfed in scrutiny this month after new details emerged about the relationship between him and the late sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
The 65-year-old has faced calls to be evicted from his residence at the Royal Lodge, urged to face a panel of MPs to face questions about the leasing, and has seen his popularity plummet to an all-time low.
Mr Stewart joined presenter Victoria Derbyshire and fellow guests Sarah Olney, the Liberal Democrat MP, and Zach Polanski, the leader of the Green Party, to discuss the focus on Andrew.
BBC Newsnight: Rory Stewart clashed with Sarah Olney
|
BBC
Suggesting there were bigger stories for the media to pursue, Mr Stewart told Ms Derbyshire: “I am worried that we are in a state where there are unbelievable things happening in the world, where [Donald] Trump is destroying the global order.
“These are allegations made about something he did in 2001, before 9/11, before the Iraq war, before the 2008 financial crisis. British politics seems to me to be completely going down -“
“You’re saying it’s not important?” Ms Olney cut in, to which Mr Stewart replied: “I’m saying that there are things in the world so massive that the British Parliament and you, I’m afraid, are not dealing with, are not gripping.
“Trump at the moment is destroying the world, and we have the whole of Parliament looking at an issue which is not Gaza, which is not Ukraine, which is not what’s happening to the British economy.
BBC Newsnight: The panel on Wednesday
|
BBC
“So it’s absolutely important, and Parliament should be able to do other things, but I’m frankly very disappointed that a major news thing like Newsnight is focusing on this when we are right in the middle of chaos worldwide.”
Moments later, Ms Olney refuted Mr Stewart’s stance: “We have very little control over what Trump does, but this is important.
“The specific role that I think the Public Accounts Committee can play, that I am a senior member of, is this specific question about the rent he’s paid or not paid on the Royal Lodge, and it is absolutely a legitimate cause of inquiry for the Public Accounts Committee to ask, is this the best deal for taxpayers?
“That is our job, and if we have the power, if we wish to summon Prince Andrew to come and give evidence to us so that we can find out more about that and that he gets the opportunity to put that on the record, that is absolutely us doing our job.
BBC Newsnight: Rory Stewart
|
BBC
“I’m sorry you don’t think it’s important, Rory, but that is what we are there to do,” she added, which led Mr Stewart to hit back: “I’m not saying it’s not important, but I’m saying it’s very, very sad that issues like this are taking so much airtime, so much news time, so much parliamentary attention, when the government is not being held to account on much, much bigger issues.”
Ms Olney cut in: “It is precisely because, Rory, so much of this has been swept under the carpet earlier — Prince Andrew’s friendship with Jeffrey Epstein, because it hasn’t been revealed to us before — you know, the status of his residence in Royal Lodge.
“And now that it has emerged, it is really, really important that we get to the bottom of exactly what’s happened. I’m speaking specifically about the Royal Lodge, the role that the Public Accounts Committee might play in that but I’m sorry, it is important.
“I’m not denying there are other important things happening, but this is something we legitimately have an interest in and it’s our job to investigate it.”
BBC Newsnight: Victoria Derbyshire
|
BBC
Mr Polanski also offered his verdict on the matter, suggesting a select committee grilling is “exactly what should happen”.
The Green Party leader went on: “I think it would be a big moment. I am very cynical about the monarchy, but I also think this is demonstrative of a much wider systemic issue, which is men in power who abuse women.
“And I think actually — or allegedly abuse women — I think it’s really important that we centre the survivors in this conversation. And actually, yes, the monarchy have questions to answer, particularly about their finances, and also Prince Andrew in particular.
“These are all very knotty problems, but actually I think ultimately they come back to the same thing, which is abuse of power.”
Clips of the debate have since circulated on social media, and it’s safe to say several Newsnight viewers were unhappy with Mr Stewart’s argument that there are bigger issues for the media to focus on.
“My God Rory Stewart just not getting why we might care about the abuse of women/Andrew. Just appalling,” one X user fumed.
“We just watched this,” a second weighed in. “Husband was like- ‘erm – did he just say what I think he said?’ This man is horrific. Haven’t watched bbc for a few years- quite an experience. Won’t watch again for a while.”
Elsewhere, a third hit out: “After that performance on @BBCNewsnight, @RoryStewart needs to have a long, hard, look at himself. The impression he left is that the abuse of women is a price worth paying to protect the monarchy.”
BBC Newsnight: Zach Polanski
|
BBC
And a fourth complained: “With all the smart people in the world you get a muppet on and you wonder why the thinking people have turned away from the BBC.”
Meanwhile, a fifth X user who was fond of Mr Stewart admitted he missed the mark. “It was disappointing to see him dismiss the abuse and exploitation of teenage girls because it happened 20 years ago. Glad VD asked the question about historic child abuse. But what a let down from RS who is otherwise a positive contributor,” they said.
And a sixth concurred: “Rory Stewart has badly misjudged the public mood on this. Abuses of power should always be investigated, especially when by such a prominent member of the establishment, even if they were 20 years ago.”
However, Mr Stewart did receive the support of a handful of other BBC viewers, including one X user who argued: “Rory Stewart is 100% correct. #Newsnight is grovelling in the gutter of smear and unproven allegations with the press. Terrible journalism.”
“I’m not denying there are other important things happening but… it is absolutely our role to investigate.”
Lib Dem MP Sarah Olney responds to Rory Stewart’s point that there is currently too much focus on Prince Andrew.#Newsnight pic.twitter.com/l9IziMq7i1
— BBC Newsnight (@BBCNewsnight) October 22, 2025
And a second echoed: “Stewart has a point, it is a problem in modern politics, headlines & scandals often get more attention than serious policy. The Prince Andrew story matters, it raises questions about justice & public trust but it’s an issue of balance & what important issues get pushed aside.” (sic)
The debate comes just days after the King’s younger brother decided to give up his royal titles.
Prince Andrew said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace last week: “In discussion with The King, and my immediate and wider family, we have concluded the continued accusations about me distract from the work of His Majesty and the Royal Family.
“I have decided, as I always have, to put my duty to my family and country first. I stand by my decision five years ago to stand back from public life.
“With His Majesty’s agreement, we feel I must now go a step further. I will therefore no longer use my title or the honours which have been conferred upon me. As I have said previously, I vigorously deny the accusations against me.”
