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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Prince defended by friend 'Sooty' | Prince defended by friend 'Sooty' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| An Asian polo club member referred to by the Prince of Wales as "Sooty" has said Charles has "zero prejudice". | An Asian polo club member referred to by the Prince of Wales as "Sooty" has said Charles has "zero prejudice". |
| Kolin Dhillon said the nickname used by his friend was a "term of affection with no offence meant or felt". | Kolin Dhillon said the nickname used by his friend was a "term of affection with no offence meant or felt". |
| He said it was also used by other members at the Cirencester Park Polo club in Gloucestershire. | He said it was also used by other members at the Cirencester Park Polo club in Gloucestershire. |
| The story emerged days after Prince Harry apologised for using the word "Paki" to describe a member of his army platoon in 2006. | The story emerged days after Prince Harry apologised for using the word "Paki" to describe a member of his army platoon in 2006. |
| Clarence House refused to comment on the polo club story but said suggesting Charles was racist was "completely ridiculous". | Clarence House refused to comment on the polo club story but said suggesting Charles was racist was "completely ridiculous". |
| A spokesman said they were not going to comment on the use of an alleged nickname at a private club. | A spokesman said they were not going to comment on the use of an alleged nickname at a private club. |
| He added: "Look at the work he's done here and abroad. Consistently over 30 years he's called for greater tolerance and understanding."Mr Dhillon has presented a polo award to Prince Harry in the past | He added: "Look at the work he's done here and abroad. Consistently over 30 years he's called for greater tolerance and understanding."Mr Dhillon has presented a polo award to Prince Harry in the past |
| Mr Dhillon, a former chairman of the Schools and Universities Polo Association originally from the Punjab, emigrated to Britain in 1955. | Mr Dhillon, a former chairman of the Schools and Universities Polo Association originally from the Punjab, emigrated to Britain in 1955. |
| In a statement issued from his Cheltenham office, the property developer said: "I have to say that you know you have arrived when you acquire a nickname. | |
| "I enjoy being called Sooty by my friends who I am sure universally use the name as a term of affection with no offence meant or felt. | "I enjoy being called Sooty by my friends who I am sure universally use the name as a term of affection with no offence meant or felt. |
| "The Prince of Wales is a man of zero prejudice and both his sons have always been most respectful." | "The Prince of Wales is a man of zero prejudice and both his sons have always been most respectful." |
| Political correctness | Political correctness |
| A member of Cirencester Park Polo Club spoken to by the BBC said the nickname used for Mr Dhillon had not caused any offence. | A member of Cirencester Park Polo Club spoken to by the BBC said the nickname used for Mr Dhillon had not caused any offence. |
| He said: "I know the Prince calls him Sooty. It's not a problem on either side." | He said: "I know the Prince calls him Sooty. It's not a problem on either side." |
| Cirencester Park Polo Club declined to comment on the reports. | Cirencester Park Polo Club declined to comment on the reports. |
| But leading British-Asian businessman, Sir Gulam Noon, who has worked with Charles on many occasions, said there was no suggestion the prince had done anything wrong. | But leading British-Asian businessman, Sir Gulam Noon, who has worked with Charles on many occasions, said there was no suggestion the prince had done anything wrong. |
| "Political correctness has gone a little bit too far," he told the BBC. | "Political correctness has gone a little bit too far," he told the BBC. |
| He added: "I have been working with Prince Charles for more than 20 years now and he has always been absolutely courteous and respectful to every Asian community member he has ever met." | He added: "I have been working with Prince Charles for more than 20 years now and he has always been absolutely courteous and respectful to every Asian community member he has ever met." |
| On Sunday, Prince Harry 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". | On Sunday, Prince Harry 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". |
| St James's Palace said he had used the term about a friend and without malice. | St James's Palace said he had used the term about a friend and without malice. |