Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor could have Freedom of City of London ‘lawfully removed’ – here’s why
Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was officially censured by the City of London Corporation for refusing to give up his Freedom of the City status despite demands.
The company’s Common Council Court granted a motion of censure (a formal expression of disapproval) on Thursday after it failed to respond to a letter urging it to relinquish the honor.
The organization said his relationship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was considered “totally unacceptable and inconsistent” with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London.
The motion also expressed “deep disappointment” at Andrew’s “failure to surrender his freedom despite being asked to do so.”
The City Corporation’s highest decision-making body said it had no power to remove Andrew’s Liberty because “his Liberty is not an honor or position but a property right protected both by domestic law and under the European Convention on Human Rights.”
As the child of the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who received the Freedom award in 1948, Andrew inherited the Freedom of the City of London in 2012 due to inheritance.
The court said it had instructed officers to commence proceedings to ensure the “lawful removal of the Freedom of the City from Andrew”.
In its full motion, the court said: “The Constitutional Council notes with great dismay Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s association with the late convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein and his accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell.
“Whilst accepting that Mr Mountbatten-Windsor maintains he has done nothing wrong, he nevertheless considers his well-publicised relationship with Epstein to be completely unacceptable and inconsistent with his status and obligations as a Freeman of the City of London.
“In these circumstances, and in solidarity with Epstein’s victims and survivors, the court seeks the removal of Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor’s Discharge, consistent with the decisions already taken by His Majesty the King and other military and civil bodies to deprive him of his offices and honours.”
The City Corporation said its thoughts “are 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.
Late last year, he was stripped of both his right to be a prince and a duke by the King due to his relationship with 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 Emancipation, is believed to have begun in 1237 and allowed buyers to ply their trade.
As well as being nominated or applied for freedom, they are inherited by inheritance or presented to individuals by the City Corporation as a way of paying tribute to their contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.
