• Disrupting Power Since 2015
  • Donate
  • Login
Friday, May 16, 2025
  • Login
  • Register
Canary
MEDIA THAT DISRUPTS
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
MANAGE SUBSCRIPTION
SUPPORT
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Canary
No Result
View All Result

Companies race to drop scandal-hit prince Andrew

The Canary by The Canary
23 November 2019
in UK
Reading Time: 6 mins read
160 12
A A
1
Home UK
319
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The Duke of York has reportedly resigned from his role with his flagship business project Pitch@Palace after days of speculation about his future with the initiative he founded.

He appears to have bowed to pressure and stepped down a day after one sponsor said his plans to continue leading Pitch were “not tenable”.

High-profile business sponsors KPMG, Standard Chartered and Inmarsat, a British satellite telecommunications company, have all said they would not renew their financial support for Pitch while Barclays, a partner of the project, ended its association with the initiative on Friday.

Beleaguered Andrew also faces the prospect of Virginia Giuffre – an alleged Jeffrey Epstein victim who claims she had under-age sex with the duke, which he strenuously denies – being interviewed on BBC’s Panorama programme early in December.

After an interview on BBC‘s Newsnight, Andrew faced criticism for showing a lack of empathy towards Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse over his friendship with the financier, who took his own life in prison earlier this year while awaiting trial on sex trafficking and conspiracy charges.

The Daily Telegraph reported sources as saying Andrew was no longer leading Pitch, which would continue without any royal involvement.

75th Anniversary of the liberation of Bruges
The Duke of York (Jonathan Brady/PA)

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) was among a number of organisations which announced on Friday they would no longer be involved with Andrew, following the controversy around his friendship with convicted sex offender Epstein.

In a statement, an RPO spokesperson said:

Following HRH the Duke of York’s announcement that he will be stepping back from public life, management representatives of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) met with prince Andrew’s office on Thursday afternoon.

At a subsequent meeting of the RPO board, it was decided that the orchestra should part company with its patron, with immediate effect.

The RPO would like to express its gratitude to His Royal Highness for his support of the orchestra over the past 15 years.

ENO Coppelia production
Erina Takahashi plays the role of Swanilda during a dress rehearsal for the English National Ballet’s Coppelia (Anthony Devlin/PA)

The English National Ballet also reportedly severed ties, accepting Andrew’s resignation from his role as patron.

He had been expected to travel to the Middle East this weekend as part of his Pitch project but has cancelled plans following reported pressure from his family.

He was pictured on Friday out riding with the Queen in the grounds around Windsor Castle with two other riders.

It has also been reported that his private secretary, Amanda Thirsk, has been removed from her palace-funded role and will become the chief executive of Pitch.

The Daily Mail said Ms Thirsk, believed to have been the driving force behind his Newsnight interview, will now run the business mentorship scheme for start-ups and tech entrepreneurs after she was dismissed.

Thirsk will also manage the Duke of York Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award after Andrew quit his life as a working royal.

It has also been reported that Buckingham Palace was disturbed by the mention of Andrew’s relationship with Epstein in the ITV election debate on Tuesday.

The Times said senior aides and the Prince of Wales advised the queen that Andrew should be withdrawn from public life after concerns the scandal was overshadowing the democratic process.

A Buckingham Palace spokesperson would not comment on reports the duke had stepped down from leading Pitch.

They said:

The duke will continue to work on Pitch and will look at how he takes this forward outside of his public duties, and outside of Buckingham Palace.

We recognise there will be a period of time while this transition takes place.

Pressure had been mounting on the duke after his Newsnight interview about Epstein, with a growing number of multimillion-pound businesses, universities and charities distancing themselves from him and Pitch@Palace.

The Outward Bound Trust, which Andrew had supported for decades, accepted his resignation as patron and Huddersfield University confirmed the duke would be relinquishing his role as its chancellor.

A source, speaking for a sponsor of Andrew’s Pitch@Palace, said his desire to carry on as normal would not work and if its “reputational” problems continued the backer would end its contract.

Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Matt Crossick/PA)

The source, close to a sponsor of Pitch, said:

To say you’re stepping back from public life but then carry on is not a tenable position by the palace, and I think the sponsor shares that view.

Andrew will be scaling down his public work, but it is not clear if his finances will change as he is supported by his mother the queen and her help will never be disclosed.

The duke has denied claims he slept with Giuffre, on three separate occasions, twice while she was under-age.

Share128Tweet80
Previous Post

Jeremy Corbyn set to launch Labour’s youth manifesto and tackle ‘rip off’ multinationals

Next Post

Rob Delaney hails NHS as ‘pinnacle of human achievement’ as he backs Labour

Next Post
Rob Delaney hails NHS as ‘pinnacle of human achievement’ as he backs Labour

Rob Delaney hails NHS as ‘pinnacle of human achievement’ as he backs Labour

Corbyn issues clear warning that multinationals must ‘pay their fair share’ of tax

Corbyn issues clear warning that multinationals must 'pay their fair share' of tax

Ann Pettifor, and Jeremy Corbyn with Labour manifesto

An economist brilliantly tears through the media’s anti-Labour propaganda

Audeince member and Boris Johnson

Johnson tried to justify his racist, Islamophobic and homophobic comments. It completely backfired.

Jeremy Corbyn offers a vision of ‘hope’ and builds support for a ‘red Christmas’

Jeremy Corbyn offers a vision of 'hope' and builds support for a ‘red Christmas’

Please login to join discussion
Trump has just sparked another major national security row
Analysis

Trump just sparked another major national security row – not that he cares

by Steve Topple
15 May 2025
The far-right's latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet - with Lee Anderson leading the charge
Analysis

The far-right’s latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet

by James Wright
15 May 2025
Starmer Rwanda deportation plan
Analysis

Just when you thought Starmer couldn’t stoop any lower – he does this

by Ed Sykes
15 May 2025
Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador
Analysis

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador

by Ed Sykes
15 May 2025
Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online
Lifestyle

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

by Nathan Spears
15 May 2025
  • Contact
  • About & FAQ
  • Get our Daily News Email
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy

The Canary
PO Box 71199
LONDON
SE20 9EX

Canary Media Ltd – registered in England. Company registration number 09788095.

For guest posting, contact [email protected]

For other enquiries, contact: [email protected]

The Canary is owned and run by independent journalists and volunteers, NOT offshore billionaires.

You can write for us, or support us by making a regular or one-off donation.

© Canary Media Ltd 2024, all rights reserved | Website by Monster | Hosted by Krystal | Privacy Settings

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • News
    • UK
    • Global
    • Analysis
    • Trending
  • Editorial
  • Features
    • Features
    • Environment
    • Lifestyle
    • Health
    • Money
    • Science
    • Business
    • Tech
    • Travel
    • Sport & Gaming
  • Media
    • Video
    • Cartoons
  • Opinion

© 2023 Canary - Worker's co-op.

Before you go, have you seen...?

Trump has just sparked another major national security row
Analysis
Steve Topple

Trump just sparked another major national security row – not that he cares

The far-right's latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet - with Lee Anderson leading the charge
Analysis
James Wright

The far-right’s latest attack on Jeremy Corbyn is its most preposterous yet

Starmer Rwanda deportation plan
Analysis
Ed Sykes

Just when you thought Starmer couldn’t stoop any lower – he does this

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador
Analysis
Ed Sykes

Jewish anti-Zionists IJAN respond to police ban on protest against Israeli ambassador

ADVERTISEMENT
Lifestyle
Nathan Spears

Social Media Activism: How Grassroots Movements Are Gaining Power Online

Travel
Nathan Spears

Best Destinations In Spain For A Couples Holiday

Travel
Nathan Spears

Surviving Long Layovers: A Frequent Traveller’s Guide