Prince William's launching his career in the RAF
- 00:01:30
- ITN
Prince William's launching his career in the RAF
Gordon Brown has said the British public will give Prince Harry "the benefit of the doubt" following his apology over the racism row because he is a "good role model". The Prime Minister said: "I think the sincerity of his apology cannot be doubted. It was a mistake, he has made the admission of that and, once he has made his apology, I think the British people are good enough to give someone who has actually been a role model for young people and has done well fighting for our country, gone into very difficult situations with bravery, I think they will give him the benefit of the doubt." Palace officials said Harry, 24, was "extremely sorry" after a three-year-old video emerged in which he called Pakistani platoon member Ahmed Raza Khan "our little Paki friend". The palace stressed that the Prince had been speaking without malice and that he "fully understands how offensive this term can be". But Captain Khan's father Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Abbasi accused Harry - who is third in line to the throne - of using a "hate word" against his son. Speaking from his home in Pakistan he said: "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." He added: "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." Meanwhile, Prince William is beginning his RAF helicopter training and Clarence House are hoping it will shift the focus from Harry. William will learn to fly Sea King helicopters with pinpoint accuracy in treacherous conditions to carry out rescues. The 26-year-old Prince loves flying and sees the RAF as his best opportunity to "serve operationally" in the Armed Forces as it is too dangerous to post him to Afghanistan. The video footage of Harry was made while the Prince was a cadet at Sandhurst. The Army says it will not launch a formal investigation into the matter because no complaint has been made but it is understood he has received a serious dressing down. Tory leader David Cameron said it was "completely unacceptable", while Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg said the comment had caused "considerable offence". Mohammed Shafiq, director of Muslim youth organisation the Ramadan Foundation, said: "Prince Harry, as a public figure, must ensure that he promotes equality and tolerance and this rant, whether today or three years ago, is sickening and he should be thoroughly ashamed of himself."
ITN | January 12, 2009
