Residents to decide on renaming street honouring former prince Andrew

Renfrewshire council will consult residents on renaming a street which honours the former Prince Andrew.

Councillors said residents on Andrew Avenue in Renfrew should have a say on whether the street name "remains appropriate".

It follows the removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's titles over growing scrutiny of his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The council said the move followed "significant national and international concern regarding his behaviour and character". Andrew, 65, has always denied any wrongdoing.

SNP councillor John Shaw raised the issue with the support of his party and ward colleague councillor Lisa-Marie Hughes.

He said: "Andrew Avenue in Renfrew was named in the late 60s, early 70s alongside neighbouring streets Edward Avenue, Anne Avenue and Charles Avenue.

"At that time, these names were chosen to reflect the younger generation of the Royal Family who were then viewed very differently in terms of their public standing and future role.

"The context, the reputation, the expectations around one of these individuals were entirely different from what we know today."

Shaw added: "This motion does not seek to rename Andrew Avenue, it doesn't impose a decision, it doesn't dictate an outcome.

"What it does is recognise that residents of the street – not politicians, not social media, not those unaffected by the outcome – should have the final say on whether the name of their own street remains appropriate."

In October, the then Prince Andrew said he would no longer use the title or honours conferred upon him.

Later that month, Buckingham Palace confirmed he had been stripped of his prince title and his royal residence.

He is now known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.

A palace spokesperson said: "These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.

"Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse."

Reporting by Jack Thomson, Local Democracy Reporting Service