Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor stone to be removed from Alloa

News imageGetty Images Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor in blue suit, white shirt and yellow tie looks to his right, serious expression on his face. There are trees and a fence behind him.Getty Images
The former Prince Andrew was commemorated in the stone in 2002

Councillors in Clackmannanshire have voted to remove and replace a stone slab commemorating a visit to Alloa by Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

The slab marked the former prince opening Parliament Way in November 2002.

Councillors backed a motion by council leader Ellen Forson to remove the stone slab.

It lies on the route close to the council's Kilncraigs headquarters on the path leading to Alloa Tower.

Councillors also supported a proposal to replace the slab with a memorial stone remembering former Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Sir George Reid, who died in August last year.

Forson said she was contacted by several constituents about the slab recognising the former prince.

She said: "For me, it is a straightforward issue about who and why we choose to recognise in our shared civic spaces.

"I believe it is appropriate that the existing reference to the former Prince Andrew is removed."

News imageClare Buchanan A stone slab commemorating the opening of Parliament Way in Alloa in 2002 by the former Prince AndrewClare Buchanan
The stone slab in Alloa will be removed and replaced

The motion said honours in public spaces must "command public confidence and reflect the values and integrity expected by our communities".

Council officers will now work on a proposed design and wording for the replacement slab.

Forson said Sir George's contribution continued to resonate across Clackmannanshire and beyond.

"Adding a slab that commemorates George Reid is about recognising his contribution but also, in moving forward, we are ensuring that what we choose to commemorate are people who are important to Clackmannanshire," she said.