A British university on Tuesday said it was reviewing its links with Prince Andrew after he defended his friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein in a TV interview.

But a bank said it would not be renewing its backing for a project he founded.

"We will be reviewing the position of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, as our patron at the next board of governors meeting on Tuesday 26th November," said London Metropolitan University.

"The university opposes all forms of discrimination of discrimination, abuse, human trafficking and any activity that is contrary to the university's values."

Andrew - Queen Elizabeth II's second son - took over the role from his father, Prince Philip, in 2013. There have been royal patrons at the institution since 1848.

The review comes after the BBC broadcast a lengthy interview with the prince on Saturday in which he tried to explain his links to Epstein, who was found dead in jail in August.

Andrew strongly denied claims he had had sex with a 17-year-old girl allegedly trafficked by Epstein but expressed little regret about his friendship with the disgraced financier.

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2019