The City of London Corporation has formally censured Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor after he failed to surrender his Freedom of the City status, despite being asked to do so. The Court of Common Council, the Corporation's highest decision-making body, passed a motion of censure on Thursday, expressing formal disapproval of his actions.
Background to the Censure
The Corporation stated that his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein was considered "wholly unacceptable and inconsistent" with the status and obligations of a Freeman of the City of London. The motion further expressed "profound disappointment" that Andrew had "not surrendered his Freedom despite being asked to do so".
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 City Corporation noted that it lacks the power to remove Andrew's Freedom as it is considered a property right protected under both domestic law and the European Convention on Human Rights, rather than an honour or office.
Legal Proceedings to Remove the Freedom
The court 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."
It added: "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."
Solidarity with Victims
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 Epstein.
The Freedom of the City of London is one of the City's ancient traditions, believed to have begun in 1237, enabling recipients to carry out their trade. It can be inherited via patrimony, applied for, or offered by the City Corporation to individuals as a tribute to their contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a significant achievement.
