Cabinet must release guidance on Prince of Wales intervention say legal experts
BBC Security Correspondent Frank Gardiner has stirred up real controversy for the Prince of Wales as a unitnended consequence of his betraying of the Queen’s confidence about her views on Abu Hamza. His comments have led to a discussion about the contrast between the discretion of the monarch on all subjects (in every sense of the word) compared to the out spoken views on a number of issues of her heir.
This has provided an opportunity for the press to run the story, notwithstanding his public views on a number of things, of the veil of secrecy surrounding his significant political influence and personal wealth arising from his ownership of the Duchy of Lancaster. This article tells us:
Adam Tompkins, professor of public law at Glasgow University, condemned the Cabinet Office’s “absolutely extraordinary” legal challenge to an order that it must release details of rules governing when the Prince is asked to give consent to legislation that might affect the Duchy of Cornwall.
The debate over the issue of Royal involvement in law-making followed the BBC’s apology yesterday after one of its senior correspondents disclosed in a live broadcast that the Queen had expressed frustration at Abu Hamza, the radical cleric, being allowed to remain at large in Britain.
John Kirkhope, a PhD student at Plymouth University, applied to the Cabinet Office under the Freedom of Information Act for a copy of the rules about when the Government should consult the Prince of Wales about new laws.
The Information Commissioner ruled that the guidance should be released, but the Cabinet Office is appealing against the decision.
Mr Kirkhope said the Duchy of Cornwall had the “most extraordinary range of privileges” and provided the Prince of Wales with income of £18.2 million a year.
The Prince of Wales is a fantastic rural champion. I have to admit however this story did make me stand up and think about whether or not some of the powers he holds are publicly opaque at the very best.