Councillors in York have officially stripped Prince Andrew of the Freedom of the City after a vote following his settlement with Virginia Giuffre.
City of York Council members representing all the main parties voted for the motion to remove Andrew’s honour, which was conferred on him in 1987.
A number of the councillors and members of public who spoke at the meeting at York Racecourse on Wednesday called for either the Queen or the Government to strip Andrew of the title Duke of York and thereby remove what Labour councillor Aisling Musson called 'this stain of an association with this city'.
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He is the first person ever to have the Freedom of the City removed, councillors were told.
There were two formal abstentions – from the Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor-elect.
The council had gathered at 6pm this evening to vote on whether the honour should be removed from the prince.
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He was awarded the Freedom of the City back in 1987, but has now had the title removed after his sex case with Giuffre was settled.
This decision does not strip Andrew of his Duke of York title, although councillors have previously suggested that they will ask Buckingham Palace and the government to do so.
The motion considered was: “The Council resolves that, pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the City of York Council withdraws the Honorary Freeman of the City status from the Duke of York which was conferred upon him in 1987.”
The Duke is the first person to have their Freeman status removed since Jimmy Savile had his status removed by Scarborough Council back in 2011.
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Before the meeting, Darryl Smalley – a Liberal Democrat councillor – said: “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.”
A survey in a local paper found that 88 percent of York residents supported removing Andrew’s honours, and a petition was signed by 1,500 people.
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The petition reads: “Not only has 'Prince' Andrew demonstrated a lack of morals, lack of humanity and lack of judgement by protracted fraternising with Jeffrey Epstein, his recent interview confirms he lacks the ability to reflect, show insight and learn.
“Most importantly, it reveals a total lack of caring for others.
“These are not Yorkshire values.
“Having him associated with such a proud, fair and straight talking county is contradictory and embarrassing.
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“Remove the title.”
Additional reporting from PA News Agency.
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: UK News