COUNCILLORS in York are taking steps to strip Prince Andrew of his honorary freedom of the city.

They are also backing a call by the city’s Labour MP Rachael Maskell for the disgraced royal to lose the title of Duke of York.

The York Central MP has repeatedly said that Prince Andrew should give up his association with the city out of respect for it.

She said that his behaviour had caused “deep hurt and embarrassment” to the people of York through his association with the city.

The Queen’s son was granted the honorary freedom of the city of York in 1987.

Liberal Democrat councillors, who make up the biggest single political group on City of York Council, will propose the removal of the honour at a council meeting on March 24.

Prince Andrew has already lost most of the titles and honours bestowed on him as a member of the Windsor family, including the right to be known as “his royal highness,” as a result of his association with convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.

The York councillors’ decision follows the prince ’s financial settlement of a civil court case in the United States with abuse victim Virginia Giuffre, who alleged that he had sexually assaulted her.

Council executive member for culture, leisure and communities Darryl Smalley said: “Having been stripped of his military roles and royal patronages by the Queen, we are seeking to end Prince Andrew’s links with our great city, including removing his honorary freedom.

“I hope councillors across all parties will support the motion to remove Prince Andrew’s honorary freedom of the city of York.”