Plaque dedicated to Andrew removed from Inverness Town House

A plaque dedicated to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been removed from Inverness Town House.

It marked the former prince's visit to the city in 2018 for the unveiling of renovations to the A-listed city centre building.

Highland Council said it was removed from its position near the building's entrance on Wednesday and placed in storage.

Other councils said they were aware of plaques in their areas marking past visits by Mountbatten-Windsor, who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office earlier this month. He has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.

Earl of Inverness was among titles removed from the King's brother in October.

Mountbatten-Windsor unveiled the plaque at the council-owned Inverness Town House on 18 September 2018 to mark the completion of a renovation project costing more than £4m.

Highland Council said: "The plaque was removed by the council on Wednesday.

"The plaque is in storage in the town house."

The landmark building on the city centre's Castle Street has royal connections.

Built to a Flemish-Baronial style, it was opened in 1882 by Queen Victoria's second son, Alfred.

The building hosted a gathering of Liberal Prime Minister David Lloyd George's UK government cabinet in September 1921.

He was on holiday in Gairloch, Wester Ross, and brought his ministers - who included Winston Churchill - together in Inverness.

The meeting was called following Ireland's rejection of King George V.

Debate that day led to the drawing up of the Inverness Formula which guided later discussions on the treaty creating the Irish Free State.

The Irish Free State eventually became the Republic of Ireland in 1949.

Two other local authorities could be set to make decisions on plaques in their areas.

Dumfries and Galloway Council said it was aware of one marking a visit by Mountbatten-Windsor to Castle Douglas Primary School which he opened in 2009.

A council spokesperson said: "No decision has been taken to remove the plaque.

"Current matters relating to Mr Mountbatten‑Windsor are ongoing and it would be inappropriate for the council to prejudge the outcome of these.

"We will continue to monitor the situation and follow national guidance where relevant."

The spokesperson said the local authority was not aware of any other council buildings with plaques connected to previous visits, but was continuing to check its records.

There is also a plaque in the games hall at Tulligarth Community Leisure Centre in Lornshill Academy, following a visit in November 2002.

A paving stone on Parliament Walk in Alloa also marks a visit by the former prince on the same day.

On the issue of removing these, a spokesperson for Clackmannanshire Council said: "The council leader intends to bring forward a motion on this to a future meeting of the council."

Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office on 19 February on the King's Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, where he has been staying.

He was taken to a Norfolk police station for questioning, before being released under investigation.

The arrest came after Thames Valley Police said it was assessing a complaint over the alleged sharing of confidential material by the former prince with late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Mountbatten-Windsor has consistently and strenuously denied any wrongdoing.