Australian PM says former prince Andrew has suffered ‘extraordinary fall’ but that won’t prompt another republic referendum

Exclusive: Anthony Albanese says arrest of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after life of ‘absolute privilege’ will be watched closely in Australia

• Australian Politics podcast: Albanese on ex-prince Andrew, Pauline Hanson and Islamic state families

Anthony Albanese has described Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s arrest as an “extraordinary fall from grace” but says the latest crisis facing the British royal family won’t prompt another referendum on Australia becoming a republic.

The former prince, the brother of King Charles III, was arrested overnight on suspicion of misconduct in public office.