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York Council Revokes Sarah Ferguson’s Freedom of the City

The unanimous move signals a broader effort to keep civic honours away from people who maintained ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

Overview

  • City of York Council, which met Thursday at the Guildhall, voted unanimously to withdraw the symbolic honour under Section 249 of the Local Government Act 1972.
  • Councillors cited released “Epstein files,” including a 2011 email in which Ferguson called Jeffrey Epstein a steadfast, generous and supreme friend, as evidence that she continued contact after his crimes were known.
  • The Stationers’ Company in the City of London confirmed it is researching the honorary membership it granted Ferguson in 1988 to decide how to proceed.
  • Companies House filings show six Ferguson-linked companies have begun winding down, and her charity, Sarah’s Trust, said it would close for the foreseeable future.
  • US lawmakers and representatives for Epstein victims urged Ferguson to give sworn testimony, though she has not been charged and faces no legal requirement to appear in the United States.