Artist hands back his British Empire Medal

CRITICAL OF ROYALS' STANCE ON PRINCE

- ANDY PHILLIPS

A LEADING artist and former head of department at the then Plymouth College of Art has explained why he has handed back his British Empire Medal to the King.

Alan Lemin, now based in the village of St John on the Rame Peninsula, was named in the Queen's New Year's Honours in 2015, in his last year at the college.

But Mr Lemin said the Royal Family's stance on Prince Andrew - who has not been willing to travel to the United States to offer his evidence in ongoing investigations into an alleged paedophile ring has led him returning his medal.

Mr Lemin, now 67, is also the godson of former Labour leader Michael Foot, and played a pivotal role in the development of the arts college now Arts University Plymouth.

He was Head of Education and Community Partnerships at the then college at the time of his gong, having also led the Fine Art department in a 30-year career at the institution.

After taking an early retirement from teaching, he has set up the Young Art School at his studio attached to his home and has recently become a visiting artist for a gallery in Paris.