Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been criticised for failing to surrender his Freedom of the City of London “despite being asked to do so”.
The City of London Corporation passed a motion of censure – a formal expression of disapproval – against Andrew on Thursday after he failed to respond to its letter inviting him to relinquish his freedom of the city.
The City Corporation’s Court of Common Council said it considered his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein to be “wholly unacceptable and inconsistent” with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London.
In its motion of censure, the court said there was “profound disappointment” Andrew has “not surrendered his Freedom despite being asked to do so”.
The City Corporation’s highest decision-making body said it lacks the power to remove Andrew’s Freedom as “his Freedom is not an honour or office but a property right protected under both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights”.
Andrew inherited the Freedom of the City of London in 2012 by virtue of patrimony, as the child of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who was awarded the Freedom in 1948.
The court said it had instructed officers to commence proceedings to enable it to “lawfully remove the Freedom of the City from Andrew”.
In its full motion, the court said: “The Court of Common Council notes with the utmost dismay Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with the convicted paedophile, the late Jeffrey Epstein, and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell.
“Whilst it recognises that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor maintains that he has done nothing wrong, it nevertheless considers that his well-publicised association with Epstein is wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with his status and obligations as a Freeman of the City of London.
“In the circumstances, and in solidarity with Epstein’s victims and survivors, the court wishes to remove Mr Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom consistent with decisions already taken by His Majesty the King and other military and civil bodies to strip him of his offices and honours.”
The City Corporation said its thoughts “remain firmly with the victims and survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and all victims of sexual abuse and exploitation”.
Andrew was arrested in February – on his 66th birthday – on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.
He was stripped by the King of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom late last year over his association with convicted sex offender Epstein.
The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile.
One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.
As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also inherited via patrimony or offered by the City Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
