Breast cancer charity among several companies to drop Sarah Ferguson over Epstein email

A number of charities have dropped Sarah Ferguson, Duchess of York, as its patron following the fallout over the emergence of an email to the disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, where she called him a "supreme friend".

Those that have so far axed the duchess include British Heart Foundation (BHS), The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation, Teenage Cancer Trust, Prevent Breast Cancer and Children's Literacy Charity. A BHS spokesperson confirmed: “Sarah, Duchess of York, is no longer serving as an ambassador for the British Heart Foundation.

“We are grateful for the duchess’ support for our work and thank her for her past efforts to help us save and improve lives by funding pioneering research into cardiovascular disease.” While food charity The Natasha Allergy Research Foundation said in a statement today that it was "disturbed" following the revelation.

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Founders Nadim and Tanya Ednan-Laperouse OBEs wrote: "We were disturbed to read of Sarah, Duchess of York's, correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein. Sarah Ferguson has not been actively involved with the charity for some years. She was a patron but, in the light of the recent revelations, we have taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue to be associated with the charity. We would like to thank her for her kindness and support in the past."

While a spokesperson for Prevent Breast Cancer said: “The Duchess of York is no longer a patron of Prevent Breast Cancer. We have advised her of this decision and thank her for her past support.”

Elsewhere, Teenage Cancer Trust has also dropped the duchess as patron after 35 years. A spokesperson said: "We have made the decision to end our relationship with the Duchess of York, and as of today she is no longer a patron of Teenage Cancer Trust. We have communicated this decision to the Duchess. We would like to thank the Duchess of York for her support.”

Children's Literacy Charity, has also dropped the duchess. A spokesperson said "given the recent information which has come to light about the Duchess of York and Jeffrey Epstein," that it had asked her to step down as patron and added it would be "inappropriate" for her to continue in the role.

While Julia's House, based in Dorset and Wiltshire, had earlier said in a statement: "Following the information shared this weekend on the Duchess of York's correspondence with Jeffrey Epstein, Julia's House has taken the decision that it would be inappropriate for her to continue as a patron of the charity. We have advised the Duchess of York of this decision and thank her for her past support."

The email to Epstein, which was dated April 26, 2011, came a matter of weeks after she is believed to have told reporters that she would “never have anything to do with” the sex offender again. The message, which was reported by The Sun newspaper, showed that the duchess had “humbly apologised” to Epstein for linking him to paedophilia in the media, labelling him “steadfast” and “generous”.

She told the outlet: “I abhor paedophilia and any sexual abuse of children and know that this was a gigantic error of judgment on my behalf. I am just so contrite I cannot say. Whenever I can, I will repay the money and have nothing ever to do with Jeffrey Epstein ever again.”

Reports suggest that a little over a month later, the duchess sent an email from her private account to the sex offender, apologising to him and telling him she was “bedridden with fear”.

Her message read: “I know you feel hellaciously let down by me. And I must humbly apologise to you and your heart for that. You have always been a steadfast, generous and supreme friend to me and my family.”

It added: “I am apologising to you today for not replying to your email or reaching out to you. I was bedridden with fear. I was paralysed.

“I was advised in no uncertain terms, to have nothing to do with you and to not speak or email you. And if I did — I would cause more problems to you, the Duke and myself. I was broken and lost. So please understand. I didn’t want to hurt Andrew one more time. I was in over-riding fear. I am sorry.”