DESPITE the fact that the not so grand old Duke of York, Prince Andrew, has been stripped of 13 honorary titles including HRH by the Queen, he retains the role of Counsellor of State.

This means that the errant prince can deputise for Charles if need be. It could be construed as a tentative attempt by the royal family to rehabilitate the disgraced prince in the eyes of the public.

READ MORE: Anger over Prince Andrew's Earl of Inverness title amid Counsellor of State backlash

I believe Prince Andrew deliberately lied to his interviewer Emily Maitlis in a cringeworthy car-crash interview. Consumed with his own self-importance, he was so deluded that he thought whatever he said would be believed by his servile subjects.

Try as he might, Andrew will never erase the stain on his name or endear himself to the public. He will forever be connected with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, he will be forever be connected to the exploitation and sexual abuse of teenage girls.

Andrew is a Counsellor of State who perhaps needs to see a counsellor.

Sandy Gordon
Edinburgh