Mr Lewis, in the running to replace Jeremy Corbyn, made the suggestion in the wake of the royal crisis surrounding not only Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s shock decision to quit as senior royals, but also the scandal surrounding Prince Andrew. Mr Lewis said: “I completely respect the right of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle to do what they have done. It is a matter for them. It is extremely unfortunate and a sign of the media we have that they feel they have to do this. “I know it is not the only reason. But if you look at the intrusion on their lives, if you look at the racism that Meghan Markle has experienced in the British media, then I can understand why, given what’s happened, given the difficulties within their family, it can’t be easy being a royal.”
He added: “Why not have a referendum in this country on the future of the Royal Family?
“We are a democracy. I’d rather see us as citizens rather than subjects in the 21st Century.”
Britons were furious with the suggestion and took to social media to condemn Mr Lewis.
One, referring to Mr Lewis, said: “The guy is as mad as a box of frogs.”
Another added: “I vote for a referendum to be held on whether to hold any more referendums.”
A third said: “The Labour Party should take action with that clown for even making that suggestion, and now that he is out of the leadership contention, maybe it is time to remove him from the party, even if it is temporarily.”
Another said: “What a hypocrite, served as a British Army Officer so would have sworn allegiance to Her Majesty. So did he lie when he took it?”
A fifth added: “I think our Queen will deal with Harry and Meghan. We don’t need to take action.”
READ NOW: Royals under threat: How one Labour MP wants to ‘scale down’ monarchy [NEWS]
And he said Harry and Meghan’s unconventional move could become a “model” for modern royal life.
In his pitch to replace Jeremy Corbyn as leader, Mr Lewis empathised with the Duchess of Sussex, who he said has been subjected to racism in the media.
The ardent Remainer also said one of the reasons why he is struggling to scrape together enough nominations for the top spot is because he is a black man.
Like Mr Lewis, shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry has so far failed to get enough backers to make it onto the ballot paper. The party’s next leader and deputy leader will be announced on April 4.
