Prince of Wales receives confidential government papers, finds Republic (duh!)
http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2...rs-for-decades
Revealed: Prince Charles has received confidential cabinet papers for decades
Revelation that heir to throne is routinely sent confidential papers comes after three-year freedom of information battle
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guardian
Prince Charles has been receiving confidential cabinet papers for decades, giving him access to the inner workings of British government, according to a Whitehall manual released after a three-year freedom of information battle.
The heir to the throne, who has previously been criticised for “meddling” in politics, is sent all cabinet memoranda, alongside the Queen and ministers in charge of departments, including secret proposals for new legislation and other discussion documents that have only been released to the public after 30 years.
Confirmation of the circulation of cabinet files to Charles is detailed in the cabinet’s “precedent book”, which until now has been kept in a locked cupboard within a locked office in a secured corridor inside the Cabinet Office.
The Cabinet Office fought for three years to block the release of the document, which reveals how Charles is on the “standard circulation” list for cabinet memoranda.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Guardian
The released chapters state: “The documents of the cabinet and ministerial committees are issued primarily to the sovereign, the Prince of Wales, and ministers ... The need for secrecy calls for special care in circulation and handling.”
It adds: “The standard circulation for cabinet memoranda includes the Queen, the Prince of Wales, all members of the cabinet, any other ministers in charge of departments, the attorney general and the chief whip ... Ministers of state and junior minister do not normally receive memoranda.”
The government fought the release of the information following a request by Republic, the campaign for an elected head of state, which has called on David Cameron to end the practice.
Clarence House said on Tuesday the information was sent to Charles “as part of his constitutional role as heir to the throne”, but this is likely to be disputed, not least because the British Monarchy website, run by Buckingham Palace, states: “There is no established constitutional role for the heir to the throne.”
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “It has been established practice for many years that the sovereign and the heir to the throne receive the minutes of cabinet meetings. It is important that the head of state and her heir are properly briefed.”
Well done to the Guardian and the campaign group Republic.... for exposing absolutely nothing.
The Guardian newspaper is still gutted that it's campaign to expose Prince Charles as somehow forcing ministers to do his bidding behind closed doors turned up nothing so now the newspaper and Republic are going after this which isn't a surprise at all. If we're honest about it, we should be very happy that there's someone up there questioning our useless politicians who in the past 60 years have destroyed everything they've touched.
I don't know if the Guardian/Republic are aware but we're a constitutional monarchy and have been for 400 odd years, not a constitutional democracy.
Thoughts?
