Hospital staff ‘disciplined’ over missing Andrew plaque

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ckgj5py9g7xo

Staff at a Belfast hospital were disciplined after a plaque marking its formal opening by the Duke of York went missing, according to emails seen by the BBC.
The plaque sparked an investigation by health officials after it was removed without permission from Belfast City Hospital in January 2022.
It came after Prince Andrew faced civil action in the US over sexual assault allegations – claims he has denied.
The Belfast Trust said the plaque has since been recovered, staff "behaviours" were addressed "in accordance with trust disciplinary procedures," and no decision has been made on reinstating the plaque.
An older image shows a man with dark hair standing beside a commemorative plaque. He is wearing a grey pinstripe suit, a white shirt and green tie. A woman with red hair and wearing a white outfit is standing across from him with her back to the camera.
Image caption,
Prince Andrew unveiling the plaque at the official opening of the hospital building in 1986
Prince Andrew officially opened the Belfast City Hospital tower in June 1986, and a plaque marking the occasion was placed near the front entrance.
It went missing after the Duke of York was sued by Virginia Giuffre, who alleged he sexually assaulted her in 2001 when she was 17.
The case was settled out of court without Prince Andrew accepting liability, but he agreed to pay an unspecified amount to Ms Giuffre and to her charity for victims' rights.
Amid the controversy, his military titles and royal patronages were returned to the late Elizabeth II.
At the time, the Belfast Trust said the plaque was removed "without direction" and it had launched an investigation "into its whereabouts".
The plaque at Belfast City Hospital which reads 'Belfast City Hospital Tower opened by H.R.H. the Prince Andrew 25th June 1986', and right, an orange square on a dark grey wall after it was removed
IMAGE SOURCE, OTHER
Image caption,
The plaque at Belfast City Hospital, and right, after it was removed
According to emails obtained by BBC News NI, the trust carried out a "significant event audit" on the removal of the plaque, which lasted several months.
The incident was investigated by independent consultants appointed by officials, according to an email from a senior staff member in December 2023.
That staff member said it led to "action taken to address staff behaviours in accordance with trust disciplinary procedures".
In another email, he said it had been claimed the plaque had been removed "out of sensitivities arising from allegations circulating on national media at the time".
Prince Andrew pictured in Northern Ireland during a visit in 1986. His then wife Sarah Ferguson is in the background
IMAGE SOURCE, PACEMAKER PRESS
Image caption,
Prince Andrew pictured in Northern Ireland during a visit in 1986. His then fiancee Sarah Ferguson is in the background
Staff being disciplined 'outrageous'
A yellow and grey tower block stand with lower red brick buildings in the foreground.
Image caption,
Belfast City Hospital
The trust had received a complaint in January 2022 saying the plaque was "causing offence" and asking for it to be removed, according to the emails.
Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP) health spokesperson Colin McGrath described the idea of staff being disciplined over the matter as "outrageous".
The Stormont assembly member said that "if anything, they've done the trust a favour by removing the reference".
"Either back your staff or back a commemorative display for Prince Andrew. I know which side I would be on," he added.
People Before Profit (PBP) assembly member Gerry Carroll said the hospital should not have a plaque bearing Prince Andrew's name.
"I have no doubt that workers and the general public would be aghast to find out that this existed.
"Workers in the hospital shouldn’t be reprimanded for stating their opposition to this."
Plaque 'in storage'
In a statement, the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust said no decision had been made on reinstating the plaque at the city hospital.
"A thorough investigation was carried out by Belfast Trust, and action was taken to address staff behaviours in accordance with trust disciplinary procedures," a spokesman said.
"A decision has not yet been made regarding the plaque, and it remains in storage."