The University of Wollongong's involvement with Prince Andrew's contentious Pitch@Palace scheme ran deeper than simply being a participant - one of the university's executives himself is a director of the company.
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Corporate records show UOW deputy vice-chancellor (global strategy) Alex Frino is one of two directors of Pitch@Palace Australia Pty Ltd - the other is the Duke of York's former private secretary Amanda Thirsk.
Ms Thirsk left Buckingham Palace with Andrew when he was stood down by the Queen.
Last week UOW said only that it would "review" the arrangement as it does every year. But today, a day after the Mercury probed Professor Frino's involvement, UOW announced it will cut ties with Pitch@Palace.
Today Professor Frino said he is "in the process of" resigning his directorship of the scheme he helped bring to Australia.
He told the Mercury he had not received any financial benefit from his directorship, and had handled any conflict of interest appropriately.
"Pitch@ Palace Australia does not receive any benefits or invest in any start-ups," he said.
"When I joined the board of Pitch@Palace Australia, I declared this interest to the university," he said. "Subsequently I no longer made or was involved in any university decisions in relation to Pitch@Palace."
The Duke's reputation has crumbled over his explanations of his friendship with the late US pedophile and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew has been accused of, and has denied, sexual involvement with a trafficked 17-year-old girl.
Pitch@Palace Australia is a $1 company owned by a single shareholder - Pitch@Palace Global, a private company registered at Buckingham Palace in London.
UOW's review had been wound up.
"The University has considered whether continued involvement with Pitch@Palace is in line with its institutional values and strategic objectives, or remains an effective avenue for supporting entrepreneurship and innovation," a UOW statement said today.
"The recent widespread media and public commentary regarding His Royal Highness the Duke York was a consideration in that review.
"The University of Wollongong has withdrawn from further engagement with Pitch@Palace."
In Australia Bond University, RMIT and Murdoch University have cut ties with the Prince. Overseas firms to ditch Pitch include Barclays, Standard Chartered, KPMG, and Advertising Week Europe.
Pitch@Palace introduces budding entrepreneurs with wealthy and powerful potential investors. Under pitch terms, Prince Andrew's parent company is entitled to 2 per cent of any start-up that wins investment, for up to three years.
Professor Frino appeared at Pitch@Palace events and was chair of its Australia steering committee.
Professor Frino is also a regular Illawarra Mercury columnist. The UOW website describes him as "a distinguished economist who fosters the interaction of business with academe".
