Prince Andrew portrait removed from Inverness Town House
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A PORTRAIT of Prince Andrew has been removed from display inside Inverness Town House after the furore over the royal’s links with a child sex convict.
Councillor Ron McWilliam wrote to Provost Helen Carmichael late last year asking for the framed photograph to be removed.
The request followed public outcry over a BBC television interview with The Earl of Inverness in November in which he was questioned over his friendship with the late paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
Highland Council also declined to fly the Union Jack on its buildings during HRH Prince Andrew’s 60th birthday celebrations earlier this month.
The prince stepped back from public life and royal duties amid the row.
Cllr McWilliam, reiterating his call to have HRH Prince Andrew stripped of his Inverness title, said: “A number of organisations globally have taken moves to firmly distance themselves from Prince Andrew.
“The fact he holds the title of The Earl of Inverness made it imperative that the Inverness council administration took a view.
“I’m glad they’ve removed the portrait, but they should really provide a position statement as to why it has been removed.
“There are a number of unanswered questions about Prince Andrew’s association with the convicted child attacker Jeffrey Epstein. There remain serious question-marks over his character, so it would be my wish that he be stripped of any association with the city of Inverness.”
The black and white portrait, which took pride of place above a fireplace in the members’ lounge of the Town House for many years, is now in storage.
A Highland Council spokesperson said: “A request was received from a number of city of Inverness councillors to consider the removal of the picture of HRH The Earl of Inverness from the members’ lounge located within the Town House.
“As the location of pictures and memorabilia within the Town House is a matter for city members, after appropriate consultation, the Provost agreed to the request.
“The picture of HRH The Earl of Inverness was moved out of the members’ lounge before Christmas.
“There are no other items of memorabilia relevant to this request. Careful consideration will be given to finding a suitable location for the picture in the future.”