Andrew slammed by officials after failing to surrender his Freedom of the City of London over Epstein ties

A motion of censure was passed by the City of London Corporation after Andrew did not respond to a letter requesting him to relinquish his Freedom of the City. The Court of Common Council stated that his association with Jeffrey Epstein was wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with the status and obligations of a Freeman. The court expressed profound disappointment that he did not surrender the Freedom despite being asked. The court said it cannot directly remove the Freedom because it is a property right protected under domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights. It instructed officers to begin proceedings to lawfully remove the Freedom. The motion cited dismay at his association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell and expressed solidarity with victims and survivors of Epstein and sexual abuse and exploitation.

"The City Corporation's Court of Common Council said that it found the former prince's association with Jeffrey Epstein to be wholly unacceptable and inconsistent with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London. The court added that there was profound disappointment that Andrew had not surrendered his Freedom despite being asked to do so."

"The court lacks the power to remove the freedom themselves, as it is a property right protected under both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights - but it has instructed officers to commence proceedings to enable it to lawfully remove the Freedom of the City from Andrew."

"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."

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