First it was the Duke of York who lost his right to roam freely around our city.
Now his former wife might also lose this honour.
City of York Council is to consider stripping Sarah Ferguson of her honorary Freedom of the City of York.
It comes after it was revealed that Sarah, Duchess of York, sent an apology email to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein calling him a “supreme friend”, after publicly disowning him in the media over his child abuse.
In April 2022, councillors voted to strip Prince Andrew of his Freedom of the City of York – due to his associated with the convicted abuser.
It was the first time the honour had been withdrawn. But it might not be the last.
City of York Council leader Claire Douglas said: “A full council meeting of all city of York councillors next takes place in November.
“Consideration will be given in advance of that meeting to whether a motion to remove the Honorary Freedom title from the Duchess of York is tabled. The Honorary Freedom title conferred on the Duke of York was removed in 2022.
“We deplore the links and continued associations with Jeffrey Epstein by those carrying the York title beyond the time the gravity of his crimes became clear”.
Last week, York Central MP Rachael Maskell called on both Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson to lose their royal York titles to disassociate the city from the pair.
In March 2011 the Duchess told an interview that she abhorred sexual abuse of children and that her friendship with Epstein was “a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf.”
Yet, a little over a month later, the duchess sent a message to him: “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me.
“And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that.
“You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”
