York seeks to remove Freedom of the City honour from Prince Andrew

The city is also asking for Andrew's Duke of York title to be removed

Councillors in York have announced they will be submitting a motion to remove Prince Andrew's Freedom of the City honour. Andrew was given the Honorary Freedom of the City of York in 1987 by the Queen, and has the title of Duke of York. But the Liberal Democrats, who form the largest group in the city's council have said they will be taking steps to start the process of removing the honour. They will be submitting a motion at the next full council meeting on March 24, the Guardian reports. The motion will also call for Andrew to give up his Duke of York title. The move comes in the aftermath of the royal's out of court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who had accused the royal of sexually assaulting her on three occasions when she was 17 and being trafficked by paedophile and friend of Andrew's, Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has already had his honorary military roles stripped from him. The City of York council says the honorary freedom of the city is bestowed to recognise notable service by local residents, to distinguished people, and to royalty. [caption id="attachment_318126" align="alignnone" width="2048"] Prince Andrew was awarded the Freedom of the City in 1987 (Chunyip Wong/iStock)[/caption]

Darryl Smalley, City of York Council’s executive member for culture, leisure and communities said: "Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, we are seeking to end Prince Andrew’s links with our great city, including removing his Honorary Freedom.

"York’s unique connection to the Crown and the monarch is an important part of our city’s legacy and history.

"However, as a council and city, we stand with victims of sexual abuse and are doing all we can to end violence against women and girls locally.

"As such, it is inappropriate that Prince Andrew retains his ambassadorial title that is intrinsically linked to our city."

He added that City of York Council is "determined to explore all options available to ensure that his links to our city are severed."

"I hope councillors across all parties will support the motion to remove Prince Andrew’s Honorary Freedom of the City of York," he added.

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• Prince Andrew could get millions from British taxpayers if he gives up Royal Lodge
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• Everyone is asking why Prince Andrew is giving £12m to someone he's 'never met'