The future king would be ‘happy to help’ the police investigate his own charity, it has been reported.

The Met Police have launched a probe into allegations that the Prince of Wales Foundation – founded by Charles – offered a knighthood to a Saudi billionaire in return for donations.

It comes after the Mail on Sunday published a letter from 2017 from the then chief executive Michael Fawcett.

He reportedly wrote that he was willing to make an application to change businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz’s honorary CBE to a knighthood, and support his application for citizenship.

The letter, written on headed notepaper, said the applications would be made in response to ‘the most recent and anticipated support’ of the trust.

At the time Clarence House said the prince had ‘no knowledge’ of the alleged cash-for-honours scandal.

But now, an anonymous source quoted by the PA news agency said: ‘His Royal Highness is happy to help if asked. He has not been.’

Scotland Yard announced its probe month after the anti-monarchy group Republic made a formal complaint about Charles and Michael Fawcett – who has since resigned – last September.

Labour MP Rachael Maskell, who represents York Central, said the alleged cash-for-honours scandal and the allegations against the Duke bring into question whether the Royal Family has no ‘right to reign’.

She told Channel 4 News the recent drama ‘absolutely’ opens up a wider debate about the future of the monarchy.

She said: ‘We have got to look at the situation of power and privilege in our society and the role that it can play.

‘And when we seen that it can be used for exploitation, you know, whether it is the questions over charitable funds or whether it’s the question over personal conduct, then of course there has got to be (questions).’

Mr Mahfouz, who is listed as a supporter on The Prince’s Foundation website, is reported to have donated large sums to restoration projects of particular interest to Charles.

He is said to deny any wrongdoing himself.

The Prince’s Foundation commissioned an independent investigation into the allegations, which found evidence of Mr Fawcett’s ‘communications and co-ordination’ with ‘so-called “fixers” regarding honorary nominations for a donor between 2014-18’.

Scotland Yard said in a statement: ‘The Metropolitan Police Service has launched an investigation into allegations of offences under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.

‘The decision follows an assessment of a September 2021 letter. This related to media reporting alleging offers of help were made to secure honours and citizenship for a Saudi national.

‘The Special Enquiry Team has conducted the assessment process which has included contacting those believed to hold relevant information.

‘Officers liaised with The Prince’s Foundation about the findings of an independent investigation into fundraising practices. The foundation provided a number of relevant documents.

‘These documents were reviewed alongside existing information. The assessment determined an investigation will commence.

‘There have been no arrests or interviews under caution.’

Charles is president of the foundation but not involved with overseeing its day-to-day governance.

Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at [email protected].

For more stories like this, check our news page.

Source: Read Full Article