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Australian unis cut ties with Britain’s Prince Andrew
SYDNEY, Nov 20, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Three Australian universities severed
ties with a charity founded by Prince Andrew Wednesday, after the British
royal refused to recant his friendship with late sex offender Jeffrey
Epstein.
Bond University, Murdoch University and RMIT University in Melbourne said
they would no longer work with “Pitch@Palace” — a charity founded by the
Duke of York to promote entrepreneurship.
Murdoch said it had “advised Buckingham Palace it would not continue its
participation” in the Pitch@Palace project, while Queensland’s Bond
University said it had brought forward are review set for next year.
“In light of recent events, the university does not intend to seek any
further involvement,” a Bond University spokesperson told AFP.
RMIT University said its “involvement with Pitch@Palace concluded in
October 2019” and would not be renewed.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring RMIT is a safe and
inclusive place to work and study,” the university said.
The announcements follow several UK-based businesses — including Standard
Chartered and KPMG — and some universities already announcing they will no
longer associate themselves with the Prince or his charities.
This came after he denied having sex with a 17-year-old girl during a
lengthy and much-condemned BBC interview in which he also described Epstein’s
behaviour as “unbecoming”.
The 66-year-old was found dead in New York’s Metropolitan Correctional
Center on August 10 as he awaited trial on allegations that he trafficked
girls as young as 14 for sex.
BSS/AFP/RY/1620 hrs