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Prince's racist term evokes anger Prince's racist term sparks anger
(10 minutes later)
Prince Harry's racist remark about a Pakistani member of his army platoon has sparked widespread criticism. Prince Harry's racist remark about a Pakistani member of his army platoon has prompted widespread criticism.
The prince issued an apology after the News of the World published a video diary in which he calls one of his then Sandhurst colleagues a "Paki".The prince issued an apology after the News of the World published a video diary in which he calls one of his then Sandhurst colleagues a "Paki".
Cabinet minister John Denham said it was "offensive", while the Ramadhan Foundation called the prince a "thug".Cabinet minister John Denham said it was "offensive", while the Ramadhan Foundation called the prince a "thug".
St James's Palace said he had used the term "Paki" as a nickname about a friend and without any malice.St James's Palace said he had used the term "Paki" as a nickname about a friend and without any malice.
The prince filmed parts of the video and in another clip, he is heard calling another cadet a "raghead".The prince filmed parts of the video and in another clip, he is heard calling another cadet a "raghead".
He had to apologise in 2005 for wearing a swastika armband to a party, which offended many Jewish people.He had to apologise in 2005 for wearing a swastika armband to a party, which offended many Jewish people.
Without malice 'Unfortunate timing'
The video obtained by the News of the World shows Harry while still an officer cadet at Sandhurst military academy.The video obtained by the News of the World shows Harry while still an officer cadet at Sandhurst military academy.
Bullying and racism are not endemic in the Armed Forces MOD spokeswoman Profile: Prince HarryReaction to prince's racist termPrince's apology for racist commentBullying and racism are not endemic in the Armed Forces MOD spokeswoman Profile: Prince HarryReaction to prince's racist termPrince's apology for racist comment
It was filmed in front of other cadets at an airport departure lounge as they waited for a flight to Cyprus to go on manoeuvres.It was filmed in front of other cadets at an airport departure lounge as they waited for a flight to Cyprus to go on manoeuvres.
The newspaper said the prince, who is third in line to the throne, had called the soldier "our little Paki friend".The newspaper said the prince, who is third in line to the throne, had called the soldier "our little Paki friend".
BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph said this was an extremely embarrassing episode for the prince and the Royal Family.BBC royal correspondent Daniela Relph said this was an extremely embarrassing episode for the prince and the Royal Family.
She said the emergence of the three-year-old video was "unfortunate timing" for Harry, whose image had greatly improved since he served in Afghanistan last year.She said the emergence of the three-year-old video was "unfortunate timing" for Harry, whose image had greatly improved since he served in Afghanistan last year.
Prince Harry and Ahmed Raza Khan, bottom, at Sandhurst in 2006
"That was a real step up for him, a real sense of maturity that people could see," she said."That was a real step up for him, a real sense of maturity that people could see," she said.
She added that as a member of the Royal Family, Prince Harry was held to a certain standard, and everything he said and did was scrutinised "regardless of whether it was banter among colleagues or something that was being used by lots of other people he was working with".She added that as a member of the Royal Family, Prince Harry was held to a certain standard, and everything he said and did was scrutinised "regardless of whether it was banter among colleagues or something that was being used by lots of other people he was working with".
'Absolutely disgusting''Absolutely disgusting'
Politicians and Muslim groups are among those to have condemned the prince's remarks.Politicians and Muslim groups are among those to have condemned the prince's remarks.
Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the words would have caused "considerable offence", while Tory leader David Cameron said it was "a completely unacceptable thing to say".Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the words would have caused "considerable offence", while Tory leader David Cameron said it was "a completely unacceptable thing to say".
Aki Nawaz, musician and political activist, said: "It's absolutely disgusting and I think he should be dismissed from the MoD. We don't accept these things, we've had to live with this for 40 years."Aki Nawaz, musician and political activist, said: "It's absolutely disgusting and I think he should be dismissed from the MoD. We don't accept these things, we've had to live with this for 40 years."
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BBC Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt describes the content of the videoBBC Royal Correspondent Peter Hunt describes the content of the video
A statement from St James's Palace, with regards the term "Paki", said: "Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offence his words might cause.A statement from St James's Palace, with regards the term "Paki", said: "Prince Harry fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offence his words might cause.
"However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon."However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon.
"There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend.""There is no question that Prince Harry was in any way seeking to insult his friend."
The statement continued: "Prince Harry used the term 'raghead' to mean Taleban or Iraqi insurgent."The statement continued: "Prince Harry used the term 'raghead' to mean Taleban or Iraqi insurgent."
A man told BBC Radio Five Live the cadet concerned was his nephew, Ahmed Raza Khan, from Pakistan, who served with Prince Harry at Sandhurst for one year as a Commonwealth cadet.A man told BBC Radio Five Live the cadet concerned was his nephew, Ahmed Raza Khan, from Pakistan, who served with Prince Harry at Sandhurst for one year as a Commonwealth cadet.
Iftikhar Raja said his nephew, now a captain in the Pakistani army, would have risen above such terms and had not mentioned the incident to his family.Iftikhar Raja said his nephew, now a captain in the Pakistani army, would have risen above such terms and had not mentioned the incident to his family.
Mr Raja said: "At no time he told us that he was called Paki or he was a good friend of Prince Harry, I mean, although they served together that is true.Mr Raja said: "At no time he told us that he was called Paki or he was a good friend of Prince Harry, I mean, although they served together that is true.
"But I myself am a British subject, I am proud to be British and if someone called me Pakistani I would be proud to be called that, but Paki is definitely a derogatory remark.""But I myself am a British subject, I am proud to be British and if someone called me Pakistani I would be proud to be called that, but Paki is definitely a derogatory remark."
He added: "We expect better from our Royal Family on whom we spend millions and millions of pounds for training and schooling."He added: "We expect better from our Royal Family on whom we spend millions and millions of pounds for training and schooling."
Captain Ahmed Raza Khan graduated with Harry from Sandhurst in 2006 receiving a special award from the Queen for being the best overseas officer cadet.Captain Ahmed Raza Khan graduated with Harry from Sandhurst in 2006 receiving a special award from the Queen for being the best overseas officer cadet.
'Disturbing allegations''Disturbing allegations'
The Army has been trying to recruit soldiers from ethnic minority backgrounds as these are currently under-represented in the services.The Army has been trying to recruit soldiers from ethnic minority backgrounds as these are currently under-represented in the services.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence said: "Neither the Army nor the Armed Forces tolerates inappropriate behaviour in any shape or form.A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Defence said: "Neither the Army nor the Armed Forces tolerates inappropriate behaviour in any shape or form.
"The Army takes all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated."The Army takes all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated.
"We are not aware of any complaint having been made by the individual. Bullying and racism are not endemic in the Armed Forces.""We are not aware of any complaint having been made by the individual. Bullying and racism are not endemic in the Armed Forces."
A spokeswoman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: "These appear to be disturbing allegations and we will be asking the MoD to see the evidence, share that evidence with us and their plans for dealing with it.A spokeswoman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: "These appear to be disturbing allegations and we will be asking the MoD to see the evidence, share that evidence with us and their plans for dealing with it.
"We will then consider what further action might be necessary.""We will then consider what further action might be necessary."