Campaigners have called on MPs to launch a full-blown inquiry into royal corruption. The call comes after fresh accusations about Prince Andrew, but also raises concerns about abuse of office by Charles and William.

Campaign group Republic has accused the royal family of abuse of public office for personal gain. Corruption doesn't have to be criminal, as rules are often tailored to suit those in positions of power and influence.

Republic has submitted a petition to parliament in the hope of getting the issue debated by MPs. The group will also be writing to MPs and ministers to raise the issue directly.

The royals stand accused of using public money for personal costs; using official access to government ministers and classified information to lobby for legal exemptions; keeping, using and failing to declare gifts; interfering in the affairs of government to pursue political projects; receiving money from overseas without due diligence and from people of questionable repute; colluding with agents from hostile states; hiding public records in their private archives; using their privileged position to demand excessive secrecy and more.

Speaking for Republic, Graham Smith said today:

"The royals hide their corruption in plain sight. The list of accusations is long and growing longer, at what point will MPs sit up and take notice?"

"When a billionaire gives Andrew or Charles money, they want something in return. When a Chinese spy befriends a royal, they want access to the British state. We must know if the royals have given them what they want."

"The royals should be treated as if they were public servants or politicians. Their word is not good enough, their reputations do not show them to be honourable men. We must have a full inquiry."

"We need full disclosure of all gifts and business relationships, all friendships with questionable contacts from dictators to foreign spies."

"We need to see details of all gifts published, we need a full account of royal lobbying and why they have ended up costing the country half a billion pounds a year."

"And we need a full account of the use of public money for private costs, including the exploitation of the Duchies and their avoidance of taxes."

"A politician facing half the accusations against the royals would be out of office in no time. Yet time and again the government and MPs, with the help of the media, run to their defence. Enough is enough."

"It's time to end royal corruption, and that means ending the monarchy."

The petition to parliament reads:

Launch a parliamentary inquiry into royal corruption.

The monarchy stands accused of corruption, abuse of public office, secrecy, abuse of public funds and collusion with foreign agents and others of questionable repute. Members of the royal household potentially pose a risk to the UK's reputation and security.

The monarchy is the central pillar of the UK's constitution. It provides a head of state and is supposed to set a certain standard of behaviour and values. However, there is ample evidence that the monarchy is corrupt, in the sense that it abuses public office for private gain. Accusations include colluding with agents of hostile foreign powers, lobbying for personal exemptions from laws, hiding official records in their personal archive, spending public money on private costs and more.

Details of the costs and abuse of public money are in Republic's Half a Billion Pound Royals report at https://www.republic.org.uk/halfbillionroyals