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Boris Johnson has been forced to clarify his defence of the monarchy amid the scandal over Prince Andrew.

The PM was branded 'unforgivable' by Labour after he offered up the surprising comment on the Duke of York's friendship with paedophile billionaire Jeffrey Esptein.

But questioned by journalists today, he had to clarify his comments - saying he was only talking about the monarchy, not the entire royal family.

While he still did not criticise Prince Andrew, Mr Johnson's comment finally makes clear he was not endorsing the Duke - 10 days after he was asked.

The original clash happened during an ITV debate between him and Jeremy Corbyn .

Asked if the monarchy was fit for purpose, long-time Republican Mr Corbyn said: "Needs a bit of improvement."

(Image: BBC)

Yet Mr Johnson said defiantly: "The institution of the Monarchy is beyond reproach”.

The Prime Minister, who said in August he has "seen the good" Prince Andrew can do, added at the time: "All our sympathies should be obviously with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein.

"And the law must certainly take its course".

Since then, Prince Andrew has been stripped of many of his royal duties after a disastrous Newsnight interview in which he showed no remorse for his friendship with Epstein.

(Image: Chris J Ratcliffe)

Today, Mr Johnson looked to explain his comment that the monarchy was "beyond reproach".

The PM said: "On the monarchy, the monarchy is the Queen.

"That in my view, she is beyond reproach. There is a distinction between the monarchy and the royal family and everybody will readily appreciate that.

"It is an obvious definitional (sic) distinction."