The Duke and Duchess of Kent are still paying a meagre rent to live in Kensington Palace, six months after a committee of MPs heavily criticised the pair for their domestic arrangements.

Norman Baker, the Liberal Democrat MP whose question led to the disclosure, said: "We are now at the date when they were going to vacate the premises or pay a sensible rent backdated to their date of occupancy.

"This shows total contempt for public accountability and public finances. It's disgraceful that they are continuing to get away with this."