The bust of George Mitchell on the grounds of Queen’s University Belfast has been removed overnight.
On Monday, the university announced it was to remove the name of one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement from a peace centre, because of his links with the disgraced paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein, along with the bust of the former US senator from university grounds.
It’s understood the bust remained in situ on Monday evening but had been removed by 8.30am on Tuesday.
Mr Mitchell chaired the negotiations which led to the 1998 peace agreement.
He has a long-standing association with the university where he was chancellor from 1999 to 2009.
On Monday, a Queen’s spokesperson said: “Queen’s University Belfast has taken the decision to remove the name of its former chancellor, Senator George J Mitchell, from the Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice, and to remove the bust commemorating him from the University campus.
“This decision follows the emergence of new information contained in the Epstein files released on Friday, which include references to Senator Mitchell.
“While no findings of wrongdoing by senator Mitchell have been made, the university has concluded that, in light of this material, and mindful of the experiences of victims and survivors, it is no longer appropriate for its institutional spaces and entities to continue to bear his name.
“As a civic institution with a global reputation for leadership in peace, reconciliation, and justice, Queen’s University Belfast must ensure that its honours and symbols reflect the highest standards consistent with its values and responsibilities.”
A spokesperson for Mr Mitchell told the BBC on Monday: “Senator Mitchell profoundly regrets ever having known Jeffrey Epstein and condemns, without reservation, the horrific harm Epstein inflicted on so many women.”
The spokesperson said Mitchell did not at any time observe, suspect or have any knowledge of Epstein engaging in “illegal or inappropriate conduct with underage women”.