A Scottish local authority is to explore changing the name of a street named after the disgraced Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
Renfrewshire Council is to consult with residents of Andrew Avenue in Renfrew about changing the name, which has been in use for more than fifty years.
John Shaw, an SNP councillor for Renfrew North and Braehead, raised the issue at a council meeting on Thursday.
He said: “I’m pleased to bring this motion today, it’s about one simple principle.
“That is giving local residents a genuine choice over the name of the street they live on.”
The consultation follows the removal of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s titles amid scrutiny over his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
Mountbatten-Windsor, 65, has always denied any wrongdoing.
However, the former prince paid an undisclosed sum to settle a civil court case with Virginia Giuffre in 2022, who had accused him of sexual assault.
Shaw explained how the street got its name, remarking: “Andrew Avenue in Renfrew was named, as I understand it, in the late ’60s, early ’70s… alongside neighbouring streets Edward Avenue, Anne Avenue and Charles Avenue.
“At that time, these names were chosen to reflect the younger generation of the Royal Family who were then viewed very differently in terms of their public standing and future role.
“The context, the reputation, the expectations around one of these individuals were entirely different from what we know today.”
He went on to say: “Since then Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has had his titles removed by the Crown and faces significant national and international concern regarding his behaviour and character.
“Whatever one’s personal opinion is, it is clear that the circumstances that once justified naming a street in his honour have changed dramatically.”
The local authority will now direct officers to begin a consultation with the street’s residents on the possibility of renaming it.
Residents have already weighed in on potential names for the street.
Hannah Halsall told The Scottish Sun that the street should be named after Renfrew resident Winifred Joyce Drinkwater, who became the youngest female pilot in the world in 1930 at age 17.
Halsall said: “There are a lot of male street names around this area, so it would be one for the women. I don’t see it being a bad thing to change it.”
Meanwhile, Gavin McGregor thinks a tweak could pay homage to tennis great Andy Murray.
He said: “We obviously don’t want it to be named after Andrew, but instead of changing the name completely, why don’t we just get Andy Murray down? Change the Andrew, not the name.”
Speaking on Thursday, Councillor Shaw remarked: “Let me be absolutely clear, this motion does not seek to rename Andrew Avenue, it doesn’t impose a decision, it doesn’t dictate an outcome.
“What it does is recognise that residents of the street – not politicians, not social media, not those unaffected by the outcome – should have the final say on whether the name of their own street remains appropriate.”
The debate comes two weeks after councillors in Mid and East Antrim voted to change the name of Prince Andrew Way in Carrickfergus.
Alliance Party councillor Lauren Gray suggested the street be renamed after the late Queen Elizabeth.
She said: "We would ask officers to bring back a report that includes a mechanism for a public consultation to ensure the people of Carrickfergus have their say.
Fellow councillor Aaron Skinner added: “[I have] spoken with many residents who feel deeply uneasy about continuing to honour Andrew Mountbatten in this way.
"There is a strong belief that he no longer reflects the values of our community."
In a personal statement in October, Mountbatten-Windsor said he would no longer use the title or honours conferred upon him.
Later that month, Buckingham Palace said that he had been stripped of his prince title, and would be known as Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
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It added at the time: “His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence. Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease and he will move to alternative private accommodation.
“These censures are deemed necessary, notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse.”
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