A process that could strip Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his Freedom of the City of London has been approved, with a decision on this to be made as a “matter of urgency”.<\/p>\n
The City of London Corporation (CLC) said the organisation’s main decision-making body, the court of common council, approved the measure – allowing the honour to be removed from individuals – on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Policy chairman, Chris Hayward, said it ensured future decisions were taken fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the law, with appropriate safeguards in place for all parties involved.<\/p>\n
The process will be considered for the disgraced former prince, who was criticised for failing to surrender his honour.<\/a><\/p>\n Under the new arrangements, each case is to be considered on its individual circumstances and in line with the law. <\/p>\n The person involved will be informed and given the opportunity to make written representations before a final decision is made.<\/p>\n The decision to approve the process followed a legal review, which found there had previously been no lawful mechanism for removing someone’s Freedom of the City.<\/p>\n Hayward said: “Today, we have approved a lawful and effective process for considering whether the Freedom of the City of London should be removed from an individual.<\/p>\n “The process will now be followed as a matter of urgency to ensure that a decision is made in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom.”<\/p>\n Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested on 19 February,<\/a> his 66th birthday, on suspicion of misconduct in public office following allegations he shared sensitive information with Epstein during his time as the UK’s trade envoy.<\/p>\n He was later stripped by the King of both his right to be a prince and his dukedom.<\/p>\n A decision on his Freedom of London honour is expected to be made in December.<\/p>\n Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds<\/a> and follow BBC London on Facebook, external<\/a>, X, external<\/a> and Instagram, external<\/a>. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk, external<\/a><\/p>\n