Royal privilege: UK govt wins legal battle to keep talks between Prince Charles & ministers secret
The UK government has won the right to withhold information on secret talks between Prince Charles and ministers.
Government lawyers blocked access to the confidential papers in a taxpayer-funded legal challenge following an 18-month battle by the Mail on Sunday to make details of discussions public.
If Prince Charles continues his undemocratic antics lobbying government ministers on any policy matter, details should be made public
— Irene Short (@ipasho) April 17, 2016
A Parliament you vote for can talk to a Royal you pay for but you can't know what about.https://t.co/E1LLPFNlJ8
— Yttrium (@millar00) April 17, 2016
The paper’s attempts to gain access to details were rejected after the Government won an appeal despite the Information Commissioner previously ruling it was “in the public interest” to release information on the talks.
Setback in FOI battle to reveal how Prince Charles lobbied government ministers in 2014https://t.co/GbUxeddB5z
— David McClure (@davidjmcclure) April 17, 2016
Prince Charles met with former Transport Minister John Hayes and former Housing Minister Brandon Lewis in 2014 to reportedly discuss environmental issues.
READ MORE: Prince Charles receives confidential cabinet documents, secret dossier reveals
The Mail on Sunday argued the case under EU rights of access laws known as the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR), which aim to guarantee transparency from public bodies when policies have implications for the environment.
Republic NOW. Now. Now. https://t.co/ojiFNZWWWq
— Paul Bernal (@PaulbernalUK) April 17, 2016
Prince Charles has been criticized in the past for holding private meetings with politicians and was dubbed the “meddling prince” for lobbying ministers in education policy, the environment, and health.
READ MORE: British Republic by 2030? Historian predicts dying days of UK monarchy
