Petition calls on the Queen to strip Prince Andrew of Earl of Inverness title
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PRINCE Andrew’s “car crash” of an interview about his friendship with a convicted sex offender has led to the launch of a petition calling on the Queen to strip him of the title of Earl of Inverness.
The online petition, launched on Monday, states: “Given the recent conduct of Prince Andrew in regards to his friendship with the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, we the residents of Inverness feel that it is inappropriate that Prince Andrew is associated with our beautiful city.”
It was launched by city resident Matthew Davies who said he was horrified by Prince Andrew’s “car crash interview” on Newsnight on Saturday. He said: “I think that him holding the title of Earl of Inverness puts a stain on our beautiful city.
“I just feel it is embarrassing to have someone like Prince Andrew associated with Inverness.
“I started the petition despite being a huge fan of the Royal Family, especially the Queen, who I think has been wonderful over the past 70 years.
“I don’t expect anything will happen as a result of the petition, but I feel the people of Inverness should have the chance to make their feelings known.
“Not everyone in the city knows he has the title Earl of Inverness.”
Prince Andrew has held the title since 1986, following his marriage to Sarah Ferguson. As well as being Earl of Inverness, he is also honorary president of Inverness Golf Club, which refused to comment on the petition or their association this week.
He is also a life member of the Inverness branch of the Royal British Legion Scotland, although chairman Paul Wilson said he was unaware of this when contacted by the Highland News.
More than 200 people had signed the petition by yesterday morning, including Inverness councillor Ron MacWilliam.
He said: “As universities, charities and corporate firms line up to disassociate themselves from Prince Andrew, it is also no longer tenable for him to be associated with our city.
“While any criminal wrongdoing remains speculation, the content of his Newsnight interview gave us an insight in to the murky world he moves in, as well as his his own casual attitude towards the victims of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
“There is no way this man can be allowed to carry the title of Earl of Inverness and I have signed the petition to demand that he be stripped of that title.”
Fellow city councillor Duncan Macpherson, however, was more ambivalent.
“This is a tricky one,” he said.
“I would be very reluctant to sign it when the man has not been charged with anything illegal.
“It has not been discussed by the council. Inverness has very strong ties with the Royal Family, and I would be inclined to let the justice system run its course.”
Several of those who have signed have also left comments online.
Elma Parrott said: “He’s a disgrace to our beautiful city.”
June Aitchison said: “I don’t want my beautiful city to have any association with this man.”
Several multi-million pound businesses have cut ties with the prince in the wake of his interview, with more still considering what action to take, if any.
A spokesman for the Royal Family said it would not be commenting on the petition.
It is available at http://chng.it/GJRJPYyN
