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Prince's apology genuine, says PM Prince's apology genuine, says PM
(9 minutes later)
Gordon Brown has said he believes the British public will give Prince Harry the "benefit of the doubt" after he apologised for using racist language.Gordon Brown has said he believes the British public will give Prince Harry the "benefit of the doubt" after he apologised for using racist language.
The prince was captured on film calling fellow cadet Ahmed Raza Khan a "Paki". Gordon Brown told GMTV he believed his apology was genuine. The prince was captured on film calling fellow cadet Ahmed Raza Khan a "Paki". Gordon Brown told GMTV he believed Prince Harry's apology was genuine.
Labour MP Keith Vaz said the term was "unacceptable and wounding".Labour MP Keith Vaz said the term was "unacceptable and wounding".
A senior army officer is to look into the circumstances surrounding Prince Harry's use of the racist term. A senior army officer is to look into the circumstances surrounding the comment, which was made in 2006.
The comment was made in a home video Prince Harry made when he was an officer cadet in 2006 and which was obtained by a Sunday newspaper. It was made in a home video Prince Harry made when he was an officer cadet in 2006 and which was obtained by a Sunday newspaper.
'Role model''Role model'
Speaking on GMTV, the prime minister said his comments had "no part in our life".Speaking on GMTV, the prime minister said his comments had "no part in our life".
"It was a mistake and he's made the admission of that..." he said."It was a mistake and he's made the admission of that..." he said.
"... the British people are good enough to give someone who has actually been a role model for young people and who has done well fighting for our country... the benefit of the doubt," Mr Brown said."... the British people are good enough to give someone who has actually been a role model for young people and who has done well fighting for our country... the benefit of the doubt," Mr Brown said.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Although he did not think Prince Harry was a racist, Labour MP Keith Vaz told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he should spend more time with his father, who had "shown how much can be done to build relations between communities".Although he did not think Prince Harry was a racist, Labour MP Keith Vaz told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that he should spend more time with his father, who had "shown how much can be done to build relations between communities".
"We cannot use language of this kind, even in jest," he said."We cannot use language of this kind, even in jest," he said.
"He is not an understudy for Bernard Manning. He is third in line to the throne, he is a role model.""He is not an understudy for Bernard Manning. He is third in line to the throne, he is a role model."
Rod Richards, who served as a Foreign Office minister in former prime minister John Major's Conservative government and also as an officer in the Royal Marines, defended the prince on the Today programme.Rod Richards, who served as a Foreign Office minister in former prime minister John Major's Conservative government and also as an officer in the Royal Marines, defended the prince on the Today programme.
He said he regarded "Paki as an abbreviation" and the prince, in his mind, had "not crossed the line".He said he regarded "Paki as an abbreviation" and the prince, in his mind, had "not crossed the line".
Welshman Mr Richards added that he was frequently called "Taffy" in the Army, and even in the House of Commons a colleague used to make references to him "having sexual relations with sheep".Welshman Mr Richards added that he was frequently called "Taffy" in the Army, and even in the House of Commons a colleague used to make references to him "having sexual relations with sheep".
'Hate word''Hate word'
The father of the soldier involved has also criticised the prince for using what he called a "hate word".The father of the soldier involved has also criticised the prince for using what he called a "hate word".
Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Abbasi spoke to the Daily Mail from his home in Pakistan, and condemned the prince's comment about his son.Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Abbasi spoke to the Daily Mail from his home in Pakistan, and condemned the prince's comment about his son.
He told the newspaper: "When I saw the video I was very, very hurt. I strongly condemn the fact that Prince Harry used that language against my son.He told the newspaper: "When I saw the video I was very, very hurt. I strongly condemn the fact that Prince Harry used that language against my son.
"That word he used is a hate word and should never be used against any Pakistani."That word he used is a hate word and should never be used against any Pakistani.
"Prince Harry should apologise to the Pakistani Army and to the Pakistani government for this. I cannot accept his apology unless they first accept his apology.""Prince Harry should apologise to the Pakistani Army and to the Pakistani government for this. I cannot accept his apology unless they first accept his apology."
The Army said it would not launch a formal investigation into the matter because no complaint has been made.The Army said it would not launch a formal investigation into the matter because no complaint has been made.
But a spokesman said: "The Army does not tolerate inappropriate behaviour in any shape or form.But a spokesman said: "The Army does not tolerate inappropriate behaviour in any shape or form.
"The Army takes all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated. This specific case will be dealt with in line with normal army procedures.""The Army takes all allegations of inappropriate behaviour very seriously and all substantive allegations are investigated. This specific case will be dealt with in line with normal army procedures."
It is understood the prince's swift apology and the length of time since the offence will be taken into account and he could simply face a dressing down.It is understood the prince's swift apology and the length of time since the offence will be taken into account and he could simply face a dressing down.
The prince also came in for criticism for another video clip in which he described a fellow Army cadet as a "raghead".The prince also came in for criticism for another video clip in which he described a fellow Army cadet as a "raghead".