· Court of Common Council approves process for removing the Freedom of the City of London

· Decision follows review finding no previous effective lawful mechanism to remove Freedoms

· In May, City of London Corporation elected Members instructed officers to pursue steps to lawfully remove Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom of the City of London

· New process will now be followed “as a matter of urgency” to ensure that a decision is made in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom

The City of London Corporation's Court of Common Council, the organisation's principal decision-making body, has today approved a process enabling the Freedom of the City of London to be removed from individuals.

Elected Members approved an Act of Common Council giving the Court the power to remove a Freedom. The decision follows a detailed legal review which concluded that there was previously no effective lawful mechanism to do so.

Under the new process, each case would be considered on its individual circumstances and in accordance with the law. The person concerned would be informed and given opportunities to make written representations before a final decision is taken.

In May, the Court instructed City Corporation officers to “commence such proceedings as are necessary to enable it to lawfully remove the Freedom of the City from Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor". The newly established process will now be undertaken in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom. Mr Mountbatten-Windsor inherited the Freedom in 2012 by virtue of patrimony, as the child of a Freeman.

City of London Corporation Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, said:

"Today, we have approved a lawful and effective process for considering whether the Freedom of the City of London should be removed from an individual.

"This ensures that future decisions are taken fairly, transparently, and in accordance with the law, with appropriate safeguards in place for all parties involved.

"The process will now be followed as a matter of urgency to ensure that a decision is made in relation to Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s Freedom”.

One of the City of London’s ancient traditions, the Freedom is believed to have begun in 1237 and enabled recipients to carry out their trade.

As well as being nominated for, or applying for, the Freedom, it is also inherited via patrimony or offered by the City Corporation to individuals as a way of paying tribute to their outstanding contribution to London or public life, or to celebrate a very significant achievement.

Over the last year, recent notable recipients include two-time Academy Award-winning actor and humanitarian, Cate Blanchett; former British Ambassador to the US, Dame Karen Pierce; City of London Police Special Constable and TV presenter, Penny Lancaster; actor, Adrian Dunbar; and veteran broadcaster and breast cancer charity ambassador, Gloria Hunniford.

ENDS

Notes to editors

ABOUT THE CITY OF LONDON CORPORATION:

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK – www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

ABOUT THE NEW PROCESS:

1. Where the Town Clerk, in consultation with the Chamberlain, Comptroller & City Solicitor and City Remembrancer is of the opinion that grounds for the disenfranchisement of a Freeman/woman has arisen they shall submit the allegations to the Policy and Resources Committee for its consideration.

2. Before doing so the Town Clerk will write to the Freeman/woman setting out the allegations against them and inviting them to make written representations within 14 days.

3. The Policy and Resources Committee will consider the matter, including any representations received, at the first convenient meeting. The Town Clerk will notify the Freeman/woman of the outcome and where the Committee resolves to submit the matter to the Court of Common Council the Freeman/woman will be given a further and final opportunity to make written representations which will be placed before Court when the matter is considered. The Town Clerk will notify the Freeman/woman within 7 days of the decision and provide reasons for the decision.