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Loading ...Prince Harry faces probe over homophobic, racist remarks
01.12.2009 1:46pm EST
(London) The British Army began a probe Monday into homophobic and racist remarks made by Prince Harry about members of his platoon.
The slurs were made and captured on film in 2006 while Harry, the third in line to the throne, was a cadet at Sandhurst, the royal military college. The video became public on the weekend, when the News of the World newspaper put it on its Web site.At one point the prince asks a member of his squad about an exercise the officer cadets had just done. Then, off camera but clearly audible, asks “How do you feel? Gay? Queer on the side?”
Elsewhere on the tape he refers to another cadet as “our little Paki friend,” a derogatory word for Pakistani.
In another section he tells one of his comrades, who is wearing camouflage headgear: “It’s Dan the Man … Fuck me, you look like a raghead,” a slur for an Arab.
The comments drew outrage from human rights groups. The Equality and Human Rights Commission demanded a formal inquiry.
“Neither the Army nor the Armed Forces tolerate inappropriate behavior in any shape or form. This sort of language is not acceptable in a modern army,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense said.
If the military investigation finds the prince guilty of bringing discredit to the army, Harry could be demoted or merely given a slap on the wrist.
Sunday, the prince issued an apology through his office at St. James Palace, saying that he “fully understands how offensive this term can be, and is extremely sorry for any offence his words might cause.”
The statement went on to say: “However, on this occasion three years ago, Prince Harry used the term without any malice and as a nickname about a highly popular member of his platoon.”
It also said that “Prince Harry used the term ‘raghead’ to mean Taliban or Iraqi insurgent.”
But British LGBT rights group called the apology insufficient.
“It’s conspicuous that Prince Harry has expressed regret for his racist remarks, but not yet for his homophobic ones,” said Stonewall head Ben Summerskill in a statement to Britain’s Pink News.
“We trust that the Prince will act very swiftly to offer an appropriate apology, in particular to those lesbian and gay personnel currently on active duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Does it really matter , it was his own private video he can say what he wants .Get a grip …
Did the guy complain about the remark? Did any gay person complain? Don’t you think Harry gets razzing just for being a prince?
(1) I heard nothing abut the Gay remark in the mainstream media
(2) Who cares? If he had said it to me, “I’d have retorted, “That wasn’t what you said last night, dearie.” Prince Harry’s hot and I’d love to get him all riled up.
I agree withthe the person who said this is an article looking for a story. Christ, isn’t there anything more worthwile to report on?
Oh Please. Give the man a break. If you saw the video it’s just guys blowing off steam and goofing off.
This is all taken out of context.
I’ve certainly heard alot worse.Usually raghead is in reference to a sikh wearing a turban.Paki also is used against east indians..
In the military, there are strict rules to be aherred to – howev er, this “running of the mouth” by Harry is a sign of immaturity-little more. A verbal reprimand seems in order – that’s all.
He was kidding around! What the hell is the problem? I’m gay and I couldn’t care
less. Geez. Stupid,is all I can say!
You too,huh. This is the first time I’ve heard about his homophobic remarks.I,too, only read about the racist remarks today posted by mainstream media. I’m so glad I get my news story from here as well.
Prince my ass.
Britsh LGBT are too damned thin skinned and the Arabs are rag heads and, too, too thin skinned. Harry has nothing to apologize for. JMHO
What a bunch of crap. Let the guy talk, he didn’t say anything racist or homophobic.
As a liberal, gay male who was in the military, he said a few things. We ALL do.
Get over it. There’s a lot more to worry about than supposed slurs that aren’t there. This is an article looking for a story. Read something else, of merit.
What a bunch of crap. Let the guy talk, he didn’t say anything racist or homophobic.
As a liberal, gay male who was in the military, he said a few things. We ALL do.
Get over it. There’s a lot more to worry about than supposed slurs that arent’ there. This is an article looking for a story. Read something else.
Funny how I’ve only heard about the racist commentary in the ‘mainstream media’.
sorry for saying this but can’t pass it up.
oo…. the little limey said a a derogatory word for Pakistani.