Prince Andrew’s links to Harborne Academy questioned

Questions have been raised about Prince Andrew’s links to Harborne Academy following his US out-of-court settlement with Jeffrey Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre.

The Prince officially opened the mixed secondary school and sixth form in south Birmingham in 2014. He was joined by the then Lord Mayor of Birmingham, Cllr Mike Leddy, during his visit.

A video of the opening is available on YouTube, and shows the Duke of York at the school, alongside plaques on the walls with his name on marking the event.

The former Lord Mayor of Birmingham has said he “wouldn’t object” to plaques commemorating Prince Andrew opening Harborne Academy being removed from the school.

It comes after a number of organisations have distanced themselves from Prince Andrew after it was decided his military titles and royal patronages should be returned to the Queen.

Two plaques at the University of the West of England which marked openings by the Duke of York have since been removed, and it’s also been announced that Prince Andrew will be removed as patron of The Royal Liverpool Golf Club.

Harborne Hill School converted to academy status in September 2010 and was renamed Harborne Academy.

Harborne Academy haven’t responded to requests for comment.

Speaking to BirminghamWorld, Cllr Leddy, (Lab: Brandwood and King’s Heath) said: “I was doing my role as Lord Mayor of Birmingham.

“As the Lord Mayor you get invites to various places across the city and the country.”

When asked if he believed the plaques should be removed from the school following the allegations against Prince Andrew and his association with Jeffery Epstein, Mr Leddy, said: “I wouldn’t object to them being removed.”

Last month (February), the Prince agreed an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre after she claimed he sexually assaulted her on three occasions when she was 17.

Ms Giuffre, also known as Virginia Roberts, made the claim against Andrew for damages in her home country of the US, claiming she was trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, Andrew’s friend, to have sex with the royal when she was 17, a minor under US law.

The Prince has repeatedly denied the claims.

Prince Andrew relinquished his honorary military roles and his HRH style in January.

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