A Labour MP has come to Prince Harry’s defence after his military service was reportedly mocked at a fringe meeting of the party’s Brighton conference.
Emma Dent Coad, MP for Kensington, reportedly questioned Harry’s ability to fly a helicopter when addressing a meeting entitled Reigning in the Monarchy.
But John Woodcock, the MP for Barrow & Furness and former chair of Labour’s backbench defence committee, said her comments did not reflect the view of the party.
The Sun quoted Ms Dent Coad as saying: “Harry can’t actually fly a helicopter… He tried to pass the helicopter exam about four times and he couldn’t get through it at all so he always goes for the co-pilot. So he just sits there going ‘vroom vroom’.”
Ms Dent Coad reportedly said that Harry and his brother William were “not very bright”, adding: “Just let them drift away, be playboys or whatever.”
Mr Woodcock responded on Twitter: “The highly inaccurate comments reportedly made by one of our colleagues, which disparage Prince Harry’s military service, in no way reflect the views of my party.
John Woodcock defended Prince Harry’s military record (Laura Lean/PA)
“Like everyone who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, His Royal Highness deserves nothing but praise and respect for his service in the armed forces.
“In addition to his tours of duty in Afghanistan, Prince Harry inspires so many by the way he champions injured, ill and wounded servicemen and women through the Invictus Games which he founded. I am really sorry that this has happened.”
Speaking on Good Morning Britain, shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said Ms Dent Coad’s alleged views were not shared by everyone in the Labour Party.
She said: “It’s never been a secret that in the Labour Party there are people who are anti-royalist. I personally feel the current generation – Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate – have done the royal family proud. We are a party where people hold different views … she’s entitled to her opinion. Our view as the Labour party in general is that the royal family do contribute to Britain.”
Asked whether Ms Dent Coad should apologise, Ms Rayner told Sky News: “Emma has to respond to what her comments are, but I’m absolutely clear that the monarchy is here and they are going to be around for a long time and William and Harry actually have made them much more trendier than they have been for a long time, dare I say it. I think that Harry’s been doing a fantastic job, especially with regard to our veterans.”