London Metropolitan University is to consider the duke’s role as its patron, while a student panel at Huddersfield University has passed a motion to lobby the duke to resign as its chancellor. The university said the duke’s role as its patron, which he took over from the Duke of Edinburgh in 2013, will be considered at its board of governors meeting next Tuesday. A spokesman added: “The university opposes all forms of discrimination, abuse, human trafficking and any activity that is contrary to the university’s values.”

At Huddersfield University, the motion said: “We as students at the University of Huddersfield and members of Huddersfield Students’ Union should not be represented by a man with ties to organised child sexual exploitation and assault.”

It said they needed to put “survivors of sexual assault above royal connections”.

Asian-focused bank Standard Chartered has joined KPMG in deciding not to renew its sponsorship of Andrew’s Pitch@Palace scheme.

Amid the unravelling of the duke’s position, former home secretary Jacqui Smith made fresh claims of racism, saying Andrew made “racist comments about Arabs that were unbelievable” at a Buckingham Palace state banquet.

The Queen’s second son is facing the prospect of charities and institutions he is associated with distancing themselves after his controversial Newsnight interview.

Andrew discussed his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, who died in jail while facing sex trafficking charges.

The duke has faced a barrage of criticism and been accused of having a lack of empathy with Epstein’s victims and a lack of remorse for his friendship with the disgraced financier, since the interview.

A spokesman for Standard Chartered said: “We can confirm we are not renewing our sponsorship of Pitch@Palace for commercial reasons once our current agreement terminates in December.”

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AstraZeneca’s three-year partnership with Pitch@Palace is due to expire at the end of this year and is being reviewed, and Outward Bound Trust, of which Andrew is patron, is to hold a board meeting in the next few days to discuss the matter.

Ms Smith in her LBC Election podcast said she was left “slack-jawed” after having a drink with Andrew at a banquet.

Asked what the duke had said, Ms Smith replied: “I almost… I don’t feel I can say.

“It was a state dinner for the Saudi royal family and he made racist comments about Arabs that were unbelievable.”

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Buckingham Palace maintained that Andrew would be continuing his role focusing on tech entrepreneurs.

A palace spokesman said: “The Duke will continue with his work in the development and support of Entrepreneurship and Science, Technology and Engineering, Young People and Skills.”

In response to the claims from Ms Smith, the spokesman added: “HRH has undertaken a considerable amount of work in the Middle East over a period of years and has many friends from the region. He does not tolerate racism in any form.”

Lawyers for Epstein’s victims have urged the duke to tell US authorities what he knows.

During the BBC interview, the duke, questioned by Newsnight presenter Emily Maitlis, twice said his relationship with Epstein had some “seriously beneficial outcomes”, giving him the opportunity to meet people and prepare for a future role as a trade envoy.

He denied sleeping with Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s victims and said an alleged encounter in 2001 did not happen as he spent the day with his daughter, Princess Beatrice, taking her to Pizza Express in Woking.

The American accuser said the alleged encounter began with the duke sweating heavily as they danced at London nightclub Tramp.

But the duke said he had a medical condition at the time which meant he did not sweat. He said he had no recollection of meeting Ms Giuffre.

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