Sarah Ferguson stripped of Freedom of the City over Epstein links
The decision followed new disclosures concerning Ferguson’s relationship with Epstein, with councillors pointing to additional evidence that has emerged since the release of extensive documents.
Sarah Ferguson’s Freedom of the City of York has been revoked after councillors voted unanimously to remove the honour, citing her links to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein.
York City Council voted to strip the former duchess of the title at a session held at the Guildhall in York.
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The decision followed new disclosures concerning Ferguson’s relationship with Epstein, with councillors pointing to additional evidence that has emerged since the release of extensive documents.
During the debate, Liberal Democrat councillor Darryl Smalley said: “We now know, following the release of thousands of documents, that Sarah Ferguson too had a close friendship with Epstein, which continued well beyond his conviction.
“We stand with victims. We stand for the rule of the rule of law. We stand for decency.”
Gwen Swinburn, speaking as a member of the public, urged councillors to back the removal. She said: “The decision before you tonight is whether to remove the freedom of the city from Ms Ferguson.
“It should not be a difficult one. It is the absolute minimum you should be doing.”
Councillor Claire Douglas, leader of the Labour group at the authority, said that the honour carries obligations to match the standards the city publicly endorses.
“As the people of York would expect, holding this status requires upholding the values and behaviours consistent with such an honour.
“Those who continued to associate with Jeffrey Epstein after his crimes became widely known fall well short of these expectations.
“Sarah Ferguson falls into this category as the Epstein files have shown. I therefore call on council to support the motion as presented.”
Ferguson and Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor were granted the Freedom of the City of York as a wedding gift from the city in 1987, during a visit to York.
York councillors removed Andrew’s Freedom of the City in 2022, and the meeting at the time was told he was the first person to have the honour withdrawn.
The motion put before the council stated: “The council resolves that, pursuant to Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972, the City of York Council withdraws the Honorary Freeman of the City status from Sarah Ferguson, which was conferred upon her in 1987.”
York’s council has previously said the honorary freedom is awarded to residents who demonstrate notable service, to distinguished figures and to royalty.
Companies connected to Ferguson began winding down after the publication of the Epstein files, according to Companies House records. In addition, Sarah’s Trust, a charity she founded, said it would close “for the foreseeable future”.