Barclays and BT are the latest organisations to express concern about being linked to Prince Andrew, as the fallout from his attempt to justify his friendship with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein continues to escalate.
The telecoms giant warned on Wednesday it will only continue to back a digital skills award scheme if the Duke of York is dropped as patron.
But a number of other organisations, among them groups that focus on children, have said that – although they are aware of the allegations against the Prince Andrew – they have no plans to sever ties with him.
Barclays and BT join a growing number of multimillion-pound businesses, universities and charities that have distanced themselves from the prince in the wake of his hugely controversial Newsnight interview at the weekend.
Barclays
Banking giant Barclays said it is concerned about the situation and is keeping its involvement with entrepreneur mentorship scheme Pitch@Palace under review.
The University of Huddersfield
Back in 2015, the Duke of York was made chancellor of the West Yorkshire university and awarded an honorary doctorate and on Monday night, Huddersfield Uni’s student union passed a motion saying the SU should lobby Prince Andrew to resign as chancellor.
On Thursday it was announced the Duke would be stepping down, the university confirmed.
In a statement, Huddersfield University Students’ Union said: “This morning, we’ve received confirmation from the university that the duke has stepped down from his position with immediate effect to allow the university to appoint a new chancellor.
“We know that students will welcome this decision, and the Students’ Union would like to offer our sympathy to the victims of Epstein and all those affected by sexual abuse across the world.”
London Metropolitan University
London Metropolitan University revealed on Tuesday it was reviewing the Duke of York’s role as its patron. Andrew took on the role in 2013, taking over from his father, the Duke of Edinburgh.
Royal Portrush Golf Club
Royal Portrush Golf Club, of which the Duke of York is a patron, said it would monitor the investigative process.
The host of this year’s Open Championship said there were no schedule plans for Andrew to return to the club.
“The allegations surrounding Prince Andrew, and especially the trauma and distress suffered by the victims of Jeffrey Epstein, is a matter of deep regret,” a club statement said.
KPMG
On Monday evening, it emerged that accountancy firm KPMG had decided not to renew its sponsorship of Andrew’s Pitch@Palace mentorship scheme, which ran out at the end of October.
Standard Chartered
On Tuesday, Asian-focused bank Standard Chartered revealed it had decided not to renew its sponsorship of the scheme.
A spokesman for Standard Chartered said: “We can confirm we are not renewing our sponsorship of Pitch@Palace for commercial reasons once our current agreement terminates in December.”
AstraZeneca
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca confirmed it is also reviewing its three-year partnership with Pitch@Palace, which is due to expire at the end of the year.
Advertising Week Europe
A spokesman told the Daily Mail on Tuesday: “While our support for entrepreneurs remains just as strong, we can confirm that Pitch@Palace will not be held as part of Advertising Week Europe 2020.”
Murdoch University
Murdoch University has joined the list of Australian educational organisations severing ties with Prince Andrew’s Pitch@Palace initiative.
A spokesman said: “Murdoch University has today advised Buckingham Palace it would not continue its participation in Pitch@Palace in 2020.”
National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s (NSPCC)
The NSPCC has found itself in a bit of a battle to distance itself from Prince Andrew, reiterating countless times on Twitter over the past few days that its relationship with the Duke ended in 2009.
A spokesperson for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children’s (NSPCC) said: “Prince Andrew was a patron of the NSPCC Full Stop Campaign, which ended in 2009.”
Outward Bound Trust
The Outward Bound Trust confirmed on Thursday that it had accepted Prince Andrews resignation as patron.
Association of Leading Visitor Attractions
On Thursday lunchtime, the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions thanked Prince Andrew for 20 years of support but confirmed he was no longer its president.
A number of other organisations have not cut links with Prince Andrew but have commented on the issue.
Foundation for Liver Research
A spokesperson for the Foundation for Liver Research said: “We don’t have anything to say at the moment. It is a matter for the trustees, who will consider it in due course.”
Council of British International Schools
The Council of British International Schools (COBIS) has said that, although it is aware of the allegations against Prince Andrew, it will not be severing ties.
A spokesperson said: “HRH The Duke of York KG has been the Royal Patron of COBIS since 2011, as successor to HRH The Princess Alexandra, and has continued to give valued support.
“COBIS is aware of recent publicity regarding HRH The Duke of York, the statement released by Buckingham Palace, and the recent BBC interview.”
The Royal Society
The Royal Society said only: “HRH Prince Andrew Duke of York is a Royal Fellow of the Society. He was elected in 2013.”
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust also confirmed that Andrew was a patron of the organisation, but refused to comment further.
Power 2
A spokesperson for the youth development charity, said: “Power2 is conscious of the Duke of York’s recent TV interview, subsequent media coverage and previous statements from Buckingham Palace regarding the Jeffrey Epstein allegations.
“Our position is unchanged for the present: we will continue to monitor the situation closely and we are unable to provide further comment at this time.”
According to the Duke of York’s website, Prince Andrew holds the position of patron or similar with about 180 organisations, including many that work with children.
These include:
Baker Dearing Educational Trust, Patron
Council of British International Schools, Patron
Enterprise Education Trust, Patron
Kohima Educational Trust, Patron
Ladder for the Black Country, Patron
Lakefield College School Foundation, Trustee
HuffPost UK has contacted those listed above for comment.
Buckingham Palace declined to comment for the article.
Prince Andrew was accused of showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with the disgraced financier, who took his own life while imprisoned earlier this year.
In the Newsnight interview, the duke also denied claims he slept with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims, on three separate occasions – twice while she was under 18.
Adding to his woes, the prince on Wednesday became embroiled in yet another race row after a former home secretary said she was left “slack-jawed” about comments he made about Arab people during a state dinner.
Jacqui Smith, who served at the Home Office under Tony Blair, said the Duke of York’s remarks to her “involved a comment about camels” and were “as worse as you could imagine”.
Speaking on the LBC election podcast she hosts with Iain Dale, Smith added: “I met him several times, including once at a state banquet where, after dinner, I and my husband and another Labour cabinet minister had a drink with him.
“I have to say the conversation left us slack-jawed with the things that he felt it was appropriate to say.”