MP calls for review of 'Freedom of City' award
PA MediaAn MP has called for a review of what bestowing the Freedom of the City of York "actually means", following the stripping of the honour from Sarah Ferguson.
On Thursday, York councillors voted unanimously to remove the honour from Ferguson, which she was given in 1987 after her marriage to the then-Prince Andrew.
The move comes amid mounting scrutiny over Ferguson's friendship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following the release of millions of documents by the US Department of Justice earlier this year.
The BBC has approached Ferguson's representatives for comment.
Following the council's move, York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said the city's association with Ferguson had brought "little gain over the years" and she hoped the removal of the honour would "trigger a review" into the award of such titles.
"I think it is a right decision by the Labour council to take this decision," Maskell said.
"For somebody to carry the esteemed position would be completely inappropriate in the light of their associations with Jeffrey Epstein."
Getty ImagesThe MP said the Freedom of the City title was "emblematic around recognition of somebody's role", adding that with Ferguson, "we haven't kind of felt the power of that and the opportunity of that".
"Occasionally members of that household would come to York, mainly go to the races, so it wasn't really investing in our city," she said.
"So I think we need to review that and to think about what a Freedom of York actually means, to ensure it holds up those high standards that we would expect."
Councillor Darryl Smalley, who put forward the motion to remove the honour, said: "I think the fact it was a unanimous vote shows clearly that councillors of all parties and none wanted to remove our final tie as a council to Andrew and Sarah.
"I'm pleased that as a council it doesn't matter the party and it doesn't matter your experience, we're all united in that decision."
'Right move'
People in York have expressed mixed views over the council's decision.
One person told the BBC: "I think it's the right move, to be honest, I mean, with all the very poor publicity around it, then I think it's the right decision."
Another said they believed the city was tarnished by the association: "For people outside of York seeing the connection, yes I think it possibly dents the city's reputation."
A third said: "People from York are very proud, you know, so yes, strip it down, because it's a disgrace to York."
Meanwhile, another said: "It's just an honorary title, doesn't actually mean anything to the people of York. I mean, you don't get paid for it, do you?"
In October, Ferguson lost her duchess title when her ex-husband relinquished his Duke of York title over his links with Epstein.
New details emerged about Ferguson's friendship with Epstein in a huge dump of files this year.
The emails suggest she contacted him while he was in prison for soliciting prostitution from a minor - and that she took her daughters along for lunch with him in Miami, days after his release from prison.
Last weekend, the BBC revealed there were mounting calls for Ferguson to give evidence concerning her links to Epstein.
US lawmakers have repeatedly - and unsuccessfully - called for her former husband to answer questions about his links to the late American financier and sex offender. Now Ferguson is being urged to do the same.
There is no legal mechanism to compel Ferguson to testify in the US.
When asked for a response on the calls from US politicians, Ferguson's representatives declined to comment.
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