“Given the nature of these allegations, our group believes there should be no ongoing recognition or legacy of Prince Andrew”
An Irish Yew tree planted by Prince Andrew marking the 400th anniversary of Lisburn could be uprooted amid “serious allegations” linked to peadophile Jeffrey Epstein.
The commemorative tree was planted by the Duke of York in September 2009 at Lagan Valley Island, the current HQ of Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council.
Prince Andrew recently gave up titles – including the Duke of York – due to continued accusations linking him to the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. A call has now been made to further remove all recognition and legacy of the royal from Lagan Valley Island.
READ MORE: Watch: Max the dog escapes destruction order and is free at his new NI home.
READ MORE: NI councillor slates Home Office asylum seeker data refusal.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked the main political parties and the local authority to comment on the now controversial tree on thr grounds of the civic centre.
The DUP is the largest party in the chamber, with a spokesperson the council group saying: “The Lisburn and Castlereagh DUP council group recognises the seriousness of the allegations that have been made in relation to Prince Andrew.
“Given the nature of these allegations, our group believes there should be no ongoing recognition or legacy of Prince Andrew at Lagan Valley Island.
“Accordingly, we would support the removal of the plaque associated with the tree he planted.”
A UUP spokesperson said: “The Ulster Unionist Party understands the sensitivity of this matter and will continue to keep it under review.”
Virginia Giuffre, the woman who alleged that Prince Andrew had sex with her at Ghislaine Maxwell’s house when she was 17, has since died by suicide earlier this year.
Ms Giuffre’s memoir book, Nobody’s Girl was officially released in the UK on Tuesday, giving more details of her allegations about Prince Andrew, which he has always denied.
Following discussion with King Charles III, his brother, Prince Andrew will cease to be the Duke of York, a title received from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth, as well as giving up his Northern Ireland title of Baron Killyleagh.
The council district holds Northern Ireland’s strongest ties to the British Monarchy with its regional home at Royal Hillsborough Castle.
Councillor Aaron McIntyre, spoke on behalf of Alliance, the second biggest party at Lagan Valley Island, saying: “Lisburn and Castlereagh has strong connections to the Royal Family, with the official Royal Residence for Northern Ireland in our area and Hillsborough being granted royal status in 2021.
“As Prince Andrew continues to be distanced from Royal life, it is understandable that there are concerns around a plaque bearing his name at the Civic Centre. Alliance is committed to working with the council and other parties to see how this situation can be best rectified.”
A Sinn Fein spokesperson said: “Sinn Féin does not believe there should be any civic recognition or celebration of Prince Andrew and we are liaising with council officials on what action can be taken to ensure this is the case.”
The SDLP said: “The SDLP supports the removal of any tributes or honours bestowed upon Prince Andrew following the very serious allegations made against him.
“We will also be supporting moves to strip him of his titles through the House of Commons. “His values certainly do not align with those of the people in this district.”
The local authority itself did not comment.
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here
#Prince #Andrew #tree #planted #Lisburns #400th #anniversary #uprooted #call #Dukes #legacy #removed
