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Prince Charles 'Black Spider' letters released: Future king lobbied ministers over NHS spending and called for more funding of homeopathic hospitals Prince Charles 'Black Spider' letters released: Future king lobbied ministers over NHS spending and called for more funding of homeopathic hospitals
(about 1 hour later)
Prince Charles lobbied ministers over NHS spending by calling for continued funding of homeopathic hospitals and the defeat of a “campaign” against alternative therapies, according to the latest release of his letters to government.Prince Charles lobbied ministers over NHS spending by calling for continued funding of homeopathic hospitals and the defeat of a “campaign” against alternative therapies, according to the latest release of his letters to government.
The heir to the throne wrote to then Health Secretary Alan Johnson in 2007 seeking to prevent cuts or closure at three NHS hospitals specialising in complementary medicine, arguing that do so was “in the interests of the nation’s health”.The heir to the throne wrote to then Health Secretary Alan Johnson in 2007 seeking to prevent cuts or closure at three NHS hospitals specialising in complementary medicine, arguing that do so was “in the interests of the nation’s health”.
The correspondence, consisting of 17 letters to and from government departments released after a decade-long legal battle, confirms the willingness of the prince to use his access to ministers to advocate privately for his causes.The correspondence, consisting of 17 letters to and from government departments released after a decade-long legal battle, confirms the willingness of the prince to use his access to ministers to advocate privately for his causes.
The first tranche of 27 of the so-called “black spider” letters, released last month following two Freedom of Information Act requests by The Guardian, revealed how the prince lobbied at the highest level of government on issues from fish conservation to equipment for troops in Iraq.The first tranche of 27 of the so-called “black spider” letters, released last month following two Freedom of Information Act requests by The Guardian, revealed how the prince lobbied at the highest level of government on issues from fish conservation to equipment for troops in Iraq.
The latest release of 'Black Spider' letters covers the period between September 2007 and June 2009 (Getty)
In the second - and final - release covering letters written between September 2007 and June 2009 the heir to the throne raises issues from the plight of listed buildings and rural housing to efforts to eradicate the poisonous ragwort plant.In the second - and final - release covering letters written between September 2007 and June 2009 the heir to the throne raises issues from the plight of listed buildings and rural housing to efforts to eradicate the poisonous ragwort plant.
But his most animated correspondence concerned his longstanding advocacy of homeopathy.But his most animated correspondence concerned his longstanding advocacy of homeopathy.
Charles wrote to Mr Johnson in September 2007 following a face-to-face meeting complaining that he had suffered “waves of invective over the years” from within the the “Medical and Scientific Establishments” for his support of integrating complementary therapies with conventional medicine.Charles wrote to Mr Johnson in September 2007 following a face-to-face meeting complaining that he had suffered “waves of invective over the years” from within the the “Medical and Scientific Establishments” for his support of integrating complementary therapies with conventional medicine.
The prince, who insisted there was growing evidence of the effectiveness of alternative medicine, said the only reason he persisted with the issue was “because I cannot bear people suffering unnecessarily when a complementary approach could make a real difference”.The prince, who insisted there was growing evidence of the effectiveness of alternative medicine, said the only reason he persisted with the issue was “because I cannot bear people suffering unnecessarily when a complementary approach could make a real difference”.
He went on to underline funding threats to the three hospitals, claiming there was an “anti-homeopathy campaign” and pressing for funding to continue despite cuts elsewhere within the health service.He went on to underline funding threats to the three hospitals, claiming there was an “anti-homeopathy campaign” and pressing for funding to continue despite cuts elsewhere within the health service.
Highlighting plans to close a homeopathic hospital in Tunbridge Wells, Charles said the clinics were saving money with a “low-risk, low-cost, low-tech approach” and avoiding referrals for more expensive treatments.Highlighting plans to close a homeopathic hospital in Tunbridge Wells, Charles said the clinics were saving money with a “low-risk, low-cost, low-tech approach” and avoiding referrals for more expensive treatments.
He wrote: “For all these reasons it must surely make abundant sense to safeguard the [homeopathic hospitals] in the interests of the nation’s health.”He wrote: “For all these reasons it must surely make abundant sense to safeguard the [homeopathic hospitals] in the interests of the nation’s health.”
In his reply, Mr Johnson, who was also being lobbied by the prince to improve hospital food by sourcing from local farmers, confirmed the closure of the Tunbridge Wells hospital and defended the right of NHS purchasers to base their funding on “clinical effectiveness”.In his reply, Mr Johnson, who was also being lobbied by the prince to improve hospital food by sourcing from local farmers, confirmed the closure of the Tunbridge Wells hospital and defended the right of NHS purchasers to base their funding on “clinical effectiveness”.
The NHS continues to run two homeopathic hospitals in Bristol and London, where the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine is Europe’s largest public sector provider of alternative and complementary therapies.The NHS continues to run two homeopathic hospitals in Bristol and London, where the Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine is Europe’s largest public sector provider of alternative and complementary therapies.
Anti-monarchy campaigners criticised the prince’s intervention in the area of public funding. Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: “Charles has been demanding the cash-strapped NHS spend money on homeopathy, despite all the evidence against its efficacy. He’s entitled to his opinion, but mustn’t abuse his position to force his opinion on others.Anti-monarchy campaigners criticised the prince’s intervention in the area of public funding. Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, said: “Charles has been demanding the cash-strapped NHS spend money on homeopathy, despite all the evidence against its efficacy. He’s entitled to his opinion, but mustn’t abuse his position to force his opinion on others.
Anyone can lobby a government minister if they wish, but Charles has unique and secretive access and the opportunity to put pressure on ministers.”Anyone can lobby a government minister if they wish, but Charles has unique and secretive access and the opportunity to put pressure on ministers.”
Prince Charles wrote to Health Secretary Andy Burnham following his appointment as Alan Johnson's replacement (PA)
Royal aides said the letters showed once more the range of concerns held by the prince “for this country and the wider world” and the issues he raised with ministers were those he had also spoken of in the public.Royal aides said the letters showed once more the range of concerns held by the prince “for this country and the wider world” and the issues he raised with ministers were those he had also spoken of in the public.
In a statement, Clarence House said: “In all these cases, the Prince of Wales is raising issues of public concern, and trying to find practical ways to address the issues.”In a statement, Clarence House said: “In all these cases, the Prince of Wales is raising issues of public concern, and trying to find practical ways to address the issues.”
The release of the letters followed a Supreme Court judgment ordering their publication under the FOI Act. The legislation has been changed since The Guardian’s original requests to exempt all documentation relating to senior members of the Royal Family.The release of the letters followed a Supreme Court judgment ordering their publication under the FOI Act. The legislation has been changed since The Guardian’s original requests to exempt all documentation relating to senior members of the Royal Family.