By Prince Andrew loses Freedom of City honour
The Duke of York has been removed of his Freedom of the City of York honour following a unanimous vote by councillors.
The motion was to remove the accolade given to Prince Andrew in 1987 and was held at a full council meeting.
Councillors reportedly also called for him to relinquish his Duke of York title, about his out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre.
The prince agreed to pay an undisclosed sum to Ms. Giuffre in February.
York Liberal Democrats said the prince had been contacted prior, informing him of the motion.
According to reports, Labour MP for York Central, Rachel Maskell said the prince was the “first to ever have their freedom removed.”
The BBC reported, Liberal Democrat Darryl Smalley, the council’s executive member for culture, leisure, and communities said “Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, we believe that it is right to remove all links that Prince Andrew still has with our great city.
“I was pleased to see councillors of all parties support this motion and make it clear that it is no longer appropriate for Prince Andrew to represent York and its residents.”
Labour’s Aisling Musson told the meeting “we owe it to the people of York” to remove the title.
Earlier this year, The Duke of York paid the financial settlement to his accuser Virginia Giuffre and formally ended a civil case brought against him.
“Stipulation of Dismissal” papers were filed, which formally closed the case.
The amount agreed to be paid by Prince Andrew in the settlement last month has not been revealed.
Reportedly the court documents say each side will “bear her/his costs and fees”.
According to reports, the court papers say that the case is now dismissed following the settlement on 12 February.
New York Judge Lewis Kaplan signed the order and the civil case formally ended.
The settlement reportedly accepted no liability and Prince Andrew has always strongly rejected claims.
