Councillors in York have unanimously voted to remove Prince Andrew’s freedom of the city status following his legal settlement with Virginia Giuffre.

City of York Council members, representing all the main parties, voted for the motion to remove the honour, which he was given in 1987.

Lib Dem Darryl Smalley, City of York Council’s executive member for culture, leisure and communities and proposer of the motion, said: “I was pleased to see councillors of all parties support this motion and make it clear that it is no longer appropriate for Prince Andrew to represent York and its residents.

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“The removal of this honorary title sends the right message that we as a city stand with victims of abuse.

A number of the councillors and members of public who spoke at the meeting at York Racecourse on Wednesday also called for either the Queen or the Government to strip Andrew of the title Duke of York.

Labour councillor Aisling Musson said she wanted to remove “this stain of an association with this city”.

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Mr Smalley added: “The next logical step is now for Prince Andrew to do the right thing and relinquish his Duke of York title.

“If he fails to do so, the Government and Buckingham Palace must step in to remove his title to finally end Prince Andrew’s connection to York.”

He is the first person ever to have the Freedom of the City removed, councillors were told.

There were two formal abstentions – from the Lord Mayor and Lord Mayor elect.

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