A Labour MP has called for a review into the Freedom of the City of York title after Sarah Ferguson was unanimously stripped of the title earlier this week.
The former Duchess of York had held the title for almost 40 years before the honour was removed on Thursday, due to her links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Following the decision by the council, York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said that the city’s association with Ms Ferguson had brought “little gain over the years,” and that she hoped the removal would “trigger a review” into the awarding of such titles.
She said: “I think it is a right decision by the Labour council to take this decision.
Labour MP Rachael Maskell has called for a review of the Freedom of the City of York honour
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“For somebody to carry the esteemed position would be completely inappropriate in the light of their associations with Jeffrey Epstein.”
The MP continued to say the Freedom of the City title was “emblematic around recognition of somebody's role,” stating that when the title was held by Ms Ferguson, “we haven’t kind of felt the power of that and the opportunity of that.”
She continued: “Occasionally members of that household would come to York, mainly go to the races, so it wasn't really investing in our city.
“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 brought forward the motion to remove the honour from the former duchess, told the BBC: "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.”
Sarah Ferguson was stripped of the honour on Thursday
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York residents have expressed mixed reactions in the days following the announcement.
One resident said: “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 claimed the city had been damaged by the association with the disgraced royal, stating: “For people outside of York seeing the connection, yes I think it possibly dents the city's reputation.”
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A third argued: “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?”
A fourth added: “People from York are very proud, you know, so yes, strip it down, because it's a disgrace to York.”
The whereabouts of the former duchess are currently unknown, amid calls for her to testify in the US.
Sarah Ferguson is facing calls to speak on her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in the US
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Sarah Ferguson has previously stated she regretted her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, she stated: "I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.
"I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. It was a gigantic error of judgment."
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