Content Note: This article contains discussion of child sexual assault and sex trafficking, and mention of suicide.

An open letter calling for a review of Prince Andrew’s honorary fellowship at Hughes Hall has so far been signed by over 100 current students, alumni, fellows and staff. Citing the Duke of York’s “[failure] to condemn harassment and sexual misconduct” amid his ties to convicted child sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, the letter expresses concerns that Prince Andrew’s appointment as an Honorary Fellow directly conflicts with the College’s ethos.

“Hughes Hall prides itself upon an ‘inclusive culture that promotes equality, values diversity and maintains an environment for study, work and living in which the rights and dignity of all its members are respected’,” reads the letter.

“However, fundamental to its fulfilment is a zero tolerance policy towards harassment, and sexual misconduct. We, therefore, believe the appointment of Prince Andrew as an Honorary Fellow is in direct conflict with the College’s values and threatens the very culture we all strive to create.”

The open letter and the College’s review of Prince’s Andrew’s position follow a recent BBC interview in which the Duke defended his relationship with Epstein, the financier who took his own life while in prison facing child sex trafficking charges in August this year, and repeatedly denied child sexual assault allegations levied against him.

A Hughes Hall spokesperson has since told Varsity that the Governing Body will be reviewing Prince Andrew’s position, which he has held since May 2018, next Wednesday 27th November.

The letter also raised concerns that the Prince’s honorary fellowship could create fears that complaints of harassment and sexual misconduct may not be taken seriously within the College:

“Amidst a University-wide movement to improve how such complaints are dealt with, our association with the Prince is concerning. It adds to fears that such complaints will not be taken seriously; a rhetoric that the University has so badly failed to overcome, even in recent years.”

During the BBC interview, which aired on Saturday 17th November, the Prince denied claims that he had assaulted Virginia Roberts Giuffre on three separate occasions, twice when she was underage. Prince Andrew stated that he had “no recollection of ever meeting” Roberts and that he had “absolutely no memory” of a now infamous photograph which shows him with his arm round Roberts’ waist.

The interview, in which the Duke claimed that on one of the alleged occasions of assault he had in fact taken his elder daughter to a party at Pizza Express in Woking, received widespread backlash from the public and the media. He has since announced that he is stepping back from royal duties, describing his association with Epstein as a “major disruption” to the work of the Royal family.

Referring to Epstein’s victims the Prince stated: “I deeply sympathise with everyone who has been affected and wants some form of closure. I can only hope that, in time, they will be able to rebuild their lives. Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.”

Since the interview, KPMG and Standard Chartered have announced they are cutting ties with Prince Andrew’s business mentoring initiative Pitch@Palace.

London Metropolitan University and Huddersfield University are also reviewing their association with Prince Andrew. Members of Huddersfield University Students’ Union passing a motion to lobby him to resign as the University’s chancellor, stating “We need to put survivors of sexual assault above royal connections.” London Metropolitan University is also considering the Prince’s role as one of its patrons.

Earlier in October, Trinity Hall was embroiled in controversy when it invited Dr Peter Hutchinson, an academic found to have sexually harassed 10 students, to a student lecture.

Hutchinson resigned as a college Emeritus Fellow at the beginning of November.