Authorities at the club, which has existed since the 1870s and received a royal warrant from Queen Victoria, say they have been in discussions with Buckingham Palace.
The Duke of York has come under increased fire since giving an interview to the BBC Newsnight television programme about his relationship with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and an alleged sexual encounter with a teenage girl.
In his letter to members, obtained by the JEP, Mr Hill says while the club’s committee ‘sympathises with the significant concerns arising from the allegations it is inappropriate to react to actions which are, as yet, unproven’.
During his BBC interview, the Prince defended his relationship with Epstein, who took his own life earlier this year while in custody after being arrested in connection with sex trafficking, and denied ever having sex with Virginia Giuffre, then Virginia Roberts.
In an interview with BBC Panorama, Ms Giuffre claims she was told to have sex with Prince Andrew after a night out in London. The prince categorically denies the allegation.
Following the Newsnight interview, it has been reported that the Duke has stepped down from numerous patronages and stepped away from royal duties.
Yesterday, the BBC were reporting that a lawyer in the USA plans to serve subpoenas to force the Duke of York to testify as a witness. It is claimed by as many as five victims that Prince Andrew may have key information about alleged sex trafficking, as he visited Epstein’s homes.
The Prince has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and has said he did not witness or suspect any suspicious behaviour during the visits.
In his letter, Mr Hill says: ‘The question of the Duke of York’s role as patron of this club has been discussed by the management committee in light of the recent allegations made against him, which have clearly been widely reported in the media. The media has also reported on an interview given by the Duke of York in which he denied the allegations.
‘We understand the authorities in the USA seek to legally test these allegations and denials. The management committee recognises that the allegations are serious but there is the concept enshrined in our law than an individual is “innocent until proven guilty”, which prevents delivering a judgment over matters unproven.
‘Although reported in the media that the Duke of York is withdrawing from all royal roles and duties, we have contacted Buckingham Palace for clarification and that is not entirely the exact position. We have been advised by the Duke’s Equerry that any organisation seeking the Duke of York to remove himself as figurehead or named supporter needs to make that request to him, via his office. While the committee sympathises with the significant concerns arising from the allegations it is inappropriate to react to actions which are, as yet, unproven.’
Mr Hill added that the ‘club is not alone in having the Duke of York as its patron’, as he is also a patron of their governing body, the R&A, and authorities will continue to ‘keep the issue under review whilst investigations by regulated authorities continue and until there is a known legal outcome’.
He continued: ‘The committee recognises that the allegations are centred on the activities of Jeffrey Epstein (deceased), a convicted paedophile. The committee deplores such activities and any actions proven to have been committed promoting and/or indulging or participating in such activities. The committee also recognises that there are victims of such activities and every sympathy and support must be extended to those victims.’
It is understood Prince Andrew is also a patron for the Alderney Maritime Trust. Last week the JEP reported that Mike Harrisson, of the Alderney Maritime Trust, said the Prince had served them well for 15 years, was a ‘very fine man’ and the rush by some organisations to cut ties with him had been ‘too hasty’.
