A new campaign to end royal secrecy has called on Prince Charles to be subjected to the same financial interest disclosure rules as MPs.
The call follows repeated revelations that Charles routinely seeks to lobby and influence government ministers behind closed doors.
Campaign group Republic, which is pushing for a complete overhaul of royal secrecy rules, says that Charles is free to lobby ministers in favour of his own personal financial interests - yet there is no way of knowing what those interests are.
MPs, on the other hand, are required to declare certain financial interests that might influence their decisions or votes in the House of Commons.
Graham Smith, Republic's CEO, said today:
"Prince Charles has direct access to ministers and has the freedom to lobby them on any issue he chooses in complete secrecy. He also speaks out on a number of issues and often visits businesses to promote their work."
"It is vital that he declares his financial interests too, so that the public know he is not personally profiting from his lobbying or public engagements."
"This is a matter of transparency - being seen to be above board. In many ways Charles is more influential than a backbench MP - the public have a right to know if he is using his privileged position for his own benefit."
"At the moment there is no requirement for Charles to declare his interests, yet he continues to be in a position of considerable public and political influence."
"If MPs have to declare their financial interests then so too must Charles."
"This is another example of royal secrecy that begs the question: what do they have to hide?"
Republic will be writing to the government and MPs on the issue. A Royal Secrets report will be sent to all MPs shortly after the May general election.
The call follows repeated revelations that Charles routinely seeks to lobby and influence government ministers behind closed doors.
Campaign group Republic, which is pushing for a complete overhaul of royal secrecy rules, says that Charles is free to lobby ministers in favour of his own personal financial interests - yet there is no way of knowing what those interests are.
MPs, on the other hand, are required to declare certain financial interests that might influence their decisions or votes in the House of Commons.
Graham Smith, Republic's CEO, said today:
"Prince Charles has direct access to ministers and has the freedom to lobby them on any issue he chooses in complete secrecy. He also speaks out on a number of issues and often visits businesses to promote their work."
"It is vital that he declares his financial interests too, so that the public know he is not personally profiting from his lobbying or public engagements."
"This is a matter of transparency - being seen to be above board. In many ways Charles is more influential than a backbench MP - the public have a right to know if he is using his privileged position for his own benefit."
"At the moment there is no requirement for Charles to declare his interests, yet he continues to be in a position of considerable public and political influence."
"If MPs have to declare their financial interests then so too must Charles."
"This is another example of royal secrecy that begs the question: what do they have to hide?"
Republic will be writing to the government and MPs on the issue. A Royal Secrets report will be sent to all MPs shortly after the May general election.
Do you like this page?