Prince William rakes in £2.5m profit from renting out prison - despite it being closed for more than a year

TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The Duchy has leased it to the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) since December 2023, at a charge of £1.5million per year. Over the 20 months since its closure, this lease has generated at least £2.5million, according to The Sunday Times.Despite the facility's closure, rental payments from the taxpayer-funded lease have continued to flow to the 52,000-hectare estate that William inherited upon his father's accession to the throne.The Duchy said: The lease of HMP Dartmoor reflects long-standing arrangements governing the site and was negotiated on a standard commercial basis with both parties taking independent advice. We remain in regular contact with the Ministry of Justice, as it determines the future of the prison.It added: We have been actively engaged in discussions with the Ministry of Justice since the closure to find a fair and sustainable solution to this issue as soon as possible.The MoJ now faces the prospect of legal action from some 750 former prison officers and inmates who were exposed to the dangerous gas during their time at the facility.LATEST ROYAL NEWSAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor saga shows 'separation in Royal Family' as King 'keeps his distance'Queen Mary confirms father's death in heartbreaking statementLocals continue to fume at 'inconsiderate' Pippa Middleton and billionaire husband after closure at village estateRadon is particularly prevalent in granite-rich regions such as Dartmoor. It ranks as Britain's second leading cause of lung cancer, claiming approximately 1,000 lives annually.The Government acknowledged it was fully aware of the prison's radon contamination, and has insisted the facility is temporarily closed for mitigation and investigation works related to radon.The abandoned facility continues to drain public resources, with an estimated £4million spent annually on private security, ventilation improvements and business rates.HM Prison and Probation Service said: We continue to assess safety and feasibility at HMP Dartmoor, and will make a decision on the site in due course that prioritises the highest possible value for taxpayer money.As there is an ongoing [Health and Safety Executive] investigation and live legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate to comment further, but we have strengthened radon management across the prison estate in line with regulatory requirements.GB News has approached William for comment.Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter