Andrew formally criticised over Freedom of City row

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been formally criticised after ignoring a request to surrender his Freedom of the City of London, with court members expressing "profound disappointment" in his actions.

The City of London Corporation passed a motion of censure (a formal expression of disapproval) after he failed to respond to a letter inviting him to relinquish the Freedom.

The Corporation's Court of Common Council said it noted "with the utmost dismay" Mountbatten-Windsor's association with the convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

It describe such links as "wholly unacceptable" and inconsistent with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London.

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on19 February, 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 later stripped by the King of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom.

The Freedom of the City of London tradition dates back to 1237 and originally allowed people to carry out their trade.

The Corporation said it does not have the power to remove the Freedom because it is not an honour or office but a property right protected under both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights.

The court said officers had been instructed to begin proceedings to enable it to "lawfully remove the Freedom of the City" from the former royal.

Andrew inherited the Freedom of the City of London by patrimony, as the child of Prince Philip, the late Duke of Edinburgh, who was awarded it in 1948.

The court said it noted "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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