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  "path": "/royal/sarah-ferguson-mp-review-york-freedom-of-city-award",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-28T11:32:15.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "King Charles hit with setback as new coastal path raises safety concerns",
    "Prince William gives 'renewed glimmer of hope' following commitment to Christianity",
    "Meghan Markle's close friend welcomes baby boy with adorable post",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
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  "textContent": "\n\n\nA Labour MP has called for a review into the Freedom of the City of York title after Sarah Ferguson was unanimously stripped of the title earlier this week.\n\nThe former Duchess of York had held the title for almost 40 years before the honour was removed on Thursday, due to her links with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nFollowing the decision by the council, York Central Labour MP Rachael Maskell said that the city’s association with Ms Ferguson had brought “little gain over the years,” and that she hoped the removal would “trigger a review” into the awarding of such titles.\n\nShe said: “I think it is a right decision by the Labour council to take this decision.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n“For somebody to carry the esteemed position would be completely inappropriate in the light of their associations with Jeffrey Epstein.”\n\nThe MP continued to say the Freedom of the City title was “emblematic around recognition of somebody's role,” stating that when the title was held by Ms Ferguson, “we haven’t kind of felt the power of that and the opportunity of that.”\n\nShe continued: “Occasionally members of that household would come to York, mainly go to the races, so it wasn't really investing in our city.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n“So I think we need to review that and to think about what a Freedom of York actually means, to ensure it holds up those high standards that we would expect.”\n\nCouncillor Darryl Smalley, who brought forward the motion to remove the honour from the former duchess, told the BBC: \"I think the fact it was a unanimous vote shows clearly that councillors of all parties and none wanted to remove our final tie as a council to Andrew and Sarah.\n\n“I'm pleased that as a council it doesn't matter the party and it doesn't matter your experience, we're all united in that decision.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nYork residents have expressed mixed reactions in the days following the announcement.\n\nOne resident said: “I think it's the right move, to be honest, I mean, with all the very poor publicity around it, then I think it's the right decision.”\n\nAnother claimed the city had been damaged by the association with the disgraced royal, stating: “For people outside of York seeing the connection, yes I think it possibly dents the city's reputation.”\n\n### LATEST ROYAL NEWS\n\n\n\n\n  * King Charles hit with setback as new coastal path raises safety concerns\n  * Prince William gives 'renewed glimmer of hope' following commitment to Christianity\n  * Meghan Markle's close friend welcomes baby boy with adorable post\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nA third argued: “It's just an honorary title, doesn't actually mean anything to the people of York. I mean, you don't get paid for it, do you?”\n\nA fourth added: “People from York are very proud, you know, so yes, strip it down, because it's a disgrace to York.”\n\nThe whereabouts of the former duchess are currently unknown, amid calls for her to testify in the US.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSarah Ferguson has previously stated she regretted her relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, she stated: \"I would never have anything to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.\n\n\"I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children. It was a gigantic error of judgment.\"\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "MP calls for review of Freedom of City award after Sarah Ferguson stripped of honour"
}