World National
©World National / Roger-Luc Chayer

Prince Charles furious at gay rape case fiasco

By (AP)

SUMMARY: Britain's Prince Charles is said to be furious with his lawyer, Fiona Shackleton, over a case involving the alleged rape of a male royal aide which led to a seven month police investigation.

Britain's Prince Charles is said to be furious with his lawyer, Fiona Shackleton, over a case involving the alleged rape of a male royal aide which led to a seven month police investigation.

Scotland Yard decided to close the case on Friday after the Crown Prosecution Service advised that no charges should be brought against the alleged rapist, another aide of the Prince.

Shackleton brought the case to the attention of the police several years after it had been investigated by an internal inquiry at St James's Palace in the mid nineties. Shackleton had to hand over documents involved in the internal inquiry ordered by Prince Charles.

It is understood that when the alleged rape victim declined to make a formal complaint, Shackleton told Prince Charles it was not necessary to involve the police.

The servant left the royal household having signed a confidentiality agreement and was paid 50,000 British pounds. He has been interviewed in recent months along with other royal aides.

The new investigation has potential serious implications for St James's Palace. A trusted servant was accused of homosexual rape and the case was handled in an unorthodox way by the Prince's staff.

Prince Charles was said to be very concerned about the case. He hired a lawyer to represent the accused man and spent thousands on legal fees. The Prince is convinced the man is innocent.

Prince Charles is expected to meet with Shackleton. He is said to be privately critical of the way she has handled the rape case.