Queen’s confirmed the move to sever ties with Mitchell to the Talkback programme on Monday.

Mitchell chaired the peace talks that culminated in the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998, which brought an end to three decades of conflict in Northern Ireland known as the Troubles.

He was also chancellor of the university from 1999 to 2009.

The university said it was also going to remove the name Senator George J Mitchell, from the Institute for Global Peace, Security and Justice.

“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,” it added.

“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.”

In a statement on Tuesday, the university said: “We can confirm the bust has now been removed from campus grounds.”