.Prince Charles tried to stop war
PRINCE Charles was so convinced Tony Blair was WRONG to take Britain to war in Iraq he broke Royal tradition and actively campaigned against the invasion, the News of the World can reveal.
Behind closed doors, the heir to the throne voiced his fears to senior politicians and mounted a staunch anti-war crusade in which he:
And they come as ex-PM Sir John Major twisted the knife yesterday, accusing Blair's handling of the 2003 invasion of damaging trust in the UK political system more than the expenses scandal.
WAS CHARLES RIGHT TO INTERFERE? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW
"The suspicion arises that this was more about regime change than about weapons of mass destruction," he added.
Charles' vocal opposition to the war could well land him in controversy too - caught in the crossfire of those who denounce him for "unconstitutional meddling" and supporters who praise his principled stands on issues such as the environment. There are likely to be calls for any exchanges between Charles and Blair - or his advisors - to be released to the Chilcot inquiry.
And experts point out that both men came to their opposite views after seeing the SAME documentary evidence prepared before the conflict.
In the lengthy run-up to war, Charles - who will be Commander-in-Chief of Britain's armed forces if he becomes King - pressed repeatedly for a rethink of the decision to invade Iraq. He also made visits to Arab countries and voiced his growing concern to global political figures hoping they could influence the debate.
One senior source told us: "The prince thought Blair was making a big mistake and he made his stance clear to influential people and politicians.
"He believed it would be a disaster to send in our troops and he was proved right.
"Of course, HRH totally supports our boys on the front line. He has two sons in the military and the royal family is intrinsically linked to the armed services.
"This is about the decision to go to war given what was known at the time. He thinks it was wrong and made his position clear, then and now.
"He was scathing about Mr Blair and sarcastically called him 'our glorious leader'. It was a running joke."
Another senior figure with intimate knowledge of Charles' attitude and actions told us: "Frankly the prince thought it was madness to go to war and said so - especially knowing what he AND the Prime Minister knew."
As a privy councillor, Charles - said to view himself as "a dissident" - would have seen secret documents not made available to the general public. A third close source added: "One must remember that the prince's role gives him the chance to travel the world as our special envoy and meet all types of leaders from all kinds of backgrounds.
"He is respected, particularly in the Arab world, as somebody who is prepared to listen and to influence. He obvious imparts that knowledge to the people that matter. He certainly made his views clear before the invasion and since.
"Perhaps if the government of the day had listened it may have turned out differently AND for the better.
Poison
"The prince fundamentally disagreed with Bush and his administration. He thought the approach was all wrong and was baffled by the man and his policies.
"Frankly Bush scared him to death. The prince understands the Arab world and believes that the root of all the problems in the region is Israel and Palestine.
"That is the poison and it's a poison he thinks is corrupting everyone's view of Islam and the Islamic world."
Charles' stand again breaks the unwritten rule that the monarchy should not try to influence Government policy. His mother the Queen has only ever expressed her views at private weekly audiences with the PM.
But the prince's communications secretary Paddy Harverson recently told BBC Radio 4: "Quite often ministers ask to meet him because they're keen to hear his views.
"He has a unique perspective and a deep understanding of his country. . . he's been getting state papers for over 40 years, he's been meeting with Prime Ministers for over 40 years. . . and the issues he has raised he cares deeply about."
Asked about today's revelations, Mr Harverson said: "It's impossible to give any kind of response to this story because it's entirely speculative."
News of the World
Behind closed doors, the heir to the throne voiced his fears to senior politicians and mounted a staunch anti-war crusade in which he:
ATTACKED the then prime minister's stance, mockingly calling him "our glorious leader".Our extraordinary revelations - from the most impeccable inside sources - are certain to pile pressure on former premier Blair as he prepares to give evidence to the Chilcott inquiry into the war.
BLAMED American president George W Bush for action he believed to be misguided after reviewing secret intelligence.
WARNED the war would only stir up more serious trouble in the region.
ACCUSED western leaders of failing to deal with what he feels is the real cause of Islamic unrest - the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Meddling
And they come as ex-PM Sir John Major twisted the knife yesterday, accusing Blair's handling of the 2003 invasion of damaging trust in the UK political system more than the expenses scandal.
WAS CHARLES RIGHT TO INTERFERE? LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS BELOW
"The suspicion arises that this was more about regime change than about weapons of mass destruction," he added.
Charles' vocal opposition to the war could well land him in controversy too - caught in the crossfire of those who denounce him for "unconstitutional meddling" and supporters who praise his principled stands on issues such as the environment. There are likely to be calls for any exchanges between Charles and Blair - or his advisors - to be released to the Chilcot inquiry.
And experts point out that both men came to their opposite views after seeing the SAME documentary evidence prepared before the conflict.
In the lengthy run-up to war, Charles - who will be Commander-in-Chief of Britain's armed forces if he becomes King - pressed repeatedly for a rethink of the decision to invade Iraq. He also made visits to Arab countries and voiced his growing concern to global political figures hoping they could influence the debate.
One senior source told us: "The prince thought Blair was making a big mistake and he made his stance clear to influential people and politicians.
"He believed it would be a disaster to send in our troops and he was proved right.
"Of course, HRH totally supports our boys on the front line. He has two sons in the military and the royal family is intrinsically linked to the armed services.
"This is about the decision to go to war given what was known at the time. He thinks it was wrong and made his position clear, then and now.
"He was scathing about Mr Blair and sarcastically called him 'our glorious leader'. It was a running joke."
Another senior figure with intimate knowledge of Charles' attitude and actions told us: "Frankly the prince thought it was madness to go to war and said so - especially knowing what he AND the Prime Minister knew."
As a privy councillor, Charles - said to view himself as "a dissident" - would have seen secret documents not made available to the general public. A third close source added: "One must remember that the prince's role gives him the chance to travel the world as our special envoy and meet all types of leaders from all kinds of backgrounds.
"He is respected, particularly in the Arab world, as somebody who is prepared to listen and to influence. He obvious imparts that knowledge to the people that matter. He certainly made his views clear before the invasion and since.
"Perhaps if the government of the day had listened it may have turned out differently AND for the better.
Poison
"The prince fundamentally disagreed with Bush and his administration. He thought the approach was all wrong and was baffled by the man and his policies.
"Frankly Bush scared him to death. The prince understands the Arab world and believes that the root of all the problems in the region is Israel and Palestine.
"That is the poison and it's a poison he thinks is corrupting everyone's view of Islam and the Islamic world."
Charles' stand again breaks the unwritten rule that the monarchy should not try to influence Government policy. His mother the Queen has only ever expressed her views at private weekly audiences with the PM.
But the prince's communications secretary Paddy Harverson recently told BBC Radio 4: "Quite often ministers ask to meet him because they're keen to hear his views.
"He has a unique perspective and a deep understanding of his country. . . he's been getting state papers for over 40 years, he's been meeting with Prime Ministers for over 40 years. . . and the issues he has raised he cares deeply about."
Asked about today's revelations, Mr Harverson said: "It's impossible to give any kind of response to this story because it's entirely speculative."
News of the World
posted by madtom at 12:40 PM
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