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Prince Andrew could be stripped of his freedom of York at a vote next week

Prince Andrew at York Minster in July 2019. Photograph: Richard McDougall
Thursday 17 March, 2022 @ 7.18 am News Joe Cooper - Local Democracy Reporter
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Prince Andrew will be stripped of the freedom of York next week if councillors back a motion brought forward by the leading Liberal Democrat group.

Councillors discovered earlier this year that the prince held the honour, which was presented to him by then serving councillors in 1987 after a visit to the city.

In February, Prince Andrew agreed to settle the civil sex assault claim against him.

Virginia Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, made a claim against the prince for damages in her home country of the US, claiming she was trafficked by Jeffery Epstein, the prince’s friend, to have sex with the royal when she was 17.

Prince Andrew has always strongly denied the claims. 

Councillors will vote on whether to remove the Freedom Honorary Freedom of the City of York status at an extraordinary full council meeting on Thursday.

The honorary freedom is bestowed by the city to recognise notable service by local residents, distinguished people and royalty.

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Previous recipients include the Duke of Wellington, Winston Churchill, John Barry and Judi Dench.

The council has contacted Prince Andrew to inform him of the motion.

‘City’s highest honour’

Cllr Darryl Smalley. Photograph: Dave Higgens / PA wire

Coun Darryl Smalley, executive member for culture, leisure and communities, will be proposing the motion. He said:

The Honorary Freedom of York is the highest honour we, as a city, can bestow on those we feel have given notable service.

We feel that it is no longer appropriate for Prince Andrew to hold this ambassadorial title that is intrinsically linked to our city.

Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, we will be seeking to remove this link that Prince Andrew still has with our great city.

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He added: “York’s unique connection to the crown and the monarch is and will remain an important part of our city’s legacy and history. However, the allegations levelled at Prince Andrew as well as his associations with convicted abusers are incredibly serious and cannot be ignored. 

“As a council and city, we stand with victims of sexual abuse and are working to end violence against woman and girls.”

Councillors and York Central MP Rachel Maskell have also called for the Prince to have his Duke of York title removed, something that is constitutionally complex and would require action in parliament. 

Coun Smalley added:  “I hope councillors across all parties will support the motion. The next logical step will then be for Buckingham Palace and the Government to act to remove his Duke of York title to finally end Prince Andrew’s connection to York.”

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