00:01York councillors have voted to remove the freedom of the city from Sarah Ferguson,
00:06the former Duchess of York. The decision followed fresh revelations about her links to convicted
00:11sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Being named in the US Department of Justice files is not
00:16evidence of wrongdoing, but council members cited her close friendship with Epstein continuing
00:22after his conviction. The honour awarded ceremonially since 1987 carries no privileges.
00:28The council said recipients should not be close associates of convicted criminals.
00:33Ms. Ferguson's ex-husband Andrew lost the honour in 2022. Officials emphasise this action
00:38symbolic and reflects the city's standards for its highest honours.
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