Britain's Charles rebuts political meddler claims

By Staff
|
Google Oneindia News

LONDON, Mar 13 (Reuters) Prince Charles' closest aide has taken the unusual step of hitting back at a TV documentary that questions whether Britain's heir to the throne is fit to be king because of what it called his meddling in politics.

In Britain, the constitutional monarch is a symbolic figurehead and the royal family is expected to steer clear of political controversy.

Charles, a supporter of fox hunting and critic of genetically modified food and what he calls the ''monstrous carbuncles'' of modern architecture, is known for bombarding government ministers with memos.

Charles' principal private secretary Michael Peat issued a detailed rebuttal of accusations made in a Channel 4 Dispatches documentary titled ''Charles: The Meddling Prince'', highlighting how sensitive the king-in-waiting is to charges of meddling.

The documentary reiterated past accusations of ''secret lobbying'' for causes such as alternative medicines and charges that Charles used his position to influence government policy.

''This is the man who would be king. With his history of public and sometimes private interference, is the monarchy safe in his hands?'' the documentary asked.

ENTITLED TO HOLD VIEWS, BLAIR Tony Blair's ministers may have been bombarded with memos but the prime minister has stoutly defended Charles, saying he was perfectly entitled to express his views and had never taken sides in party politics.

But Roy Hattersley, former deputy leader of the ruling Labour party, told the programme: ''I think it is a thoroughly bad thing that a man who's going to be king has such a body of opinion associated with him.'' Peat said Charles, who has spoken out over a string of subjects from organic farming to climate change, had the right to share his views with ministers in private and said he took pains to avoid public political pronouncements.

''His Royal Highness is always very careful to ensure that he is not politically contentious or party political,'' Peat said.

But Peat did say: ''His role and the way he contributes to national life will change when he becomes king.'' Faced with a barrage of royal criticism, Channel 4 stood by its programme, which is being aired last night.

''The investigation has been carefully researched over a period of six months. All the claims made in the film will be substantiated and we will fairly reflect the response of (Prince Charles's office at) Clarence House,'' a spokeswoman said.

Reuters AD VP0427

For Daily Alerts
Get Instant News Updates
Enable
x
Notification Settings X
Time Settings
Done
Clear Notification X
Do you want to clear all the notifications from your inbox?
Settings X
X