Senior shadow minister defends Labour MP who mocked Prince Harry’s military record in vile slurs – as she says ‘she’s entitled to an opinion’
Angela Rayner wouldn’t call on Emma Dent Coad to apologise for her comments as the leftie anti-monarchist blamed the media for the row
A SENIOR shadow minister has defended the Labour MP who mocked Prince Harry’s military record in vile slurs revealed by The Sun - saying “she's entitled to an opinion”.
Meanwhile Emma Dent Coad has reacted with defiance to the criticism of her comments to a fringe meeting in Brighton earlier this week.
She instead blamed the media for “running the narrative in relation to the Royals”, saying the country should “have a proper debate about the Royal Family”.
The Kensington MP had questioned Harry's ability to fly a helicopter when addressing a meeting entitled Reigning In The Monarchy.
She told activists: "Harry can't actually fly a helicopter. He tried to pass the helicopter exam about four times and he couldn't get through it at all so he always goes for the co-pilot.
"So he just sits there going 'vroom vroom'."
Ms Dent Coad, a Republican, also reportedly said Harry and his brother William were "not very bright", adding: "Just let them drift away, be playboys or whatever."
But speaking on Good Morning Britain, shadow education secretary Angela Rayner said Ms Dent Coad was “entitled to an opinion”.
She said her views weren't shared by everyone in the party, adding: "It's never been a secret that in the Labour party there are people who are anti-royalist.
“I personally feel the current generation - Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate - have done the royal family proud.
"We are a party where people hold different views - she’s entitled to her opinion. Our view as the Labour party in general is that the royal family do contribute to Britain.”
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Asked whether Ms Dent Coad should apologise, Ms Rayner then told Sky News: "Emma has to respond to what her comments are, but I'm absolutely clear that the monarchy is here and they are going to be around for a long time and William and Harry actually have made them much more trendier than they have been for a long time, dare I say it.
"I think that Harry's been doing a fantastic job, especially with regard to our veterans.”
Ms Dent Coad was blasted by John Woodcock, the Labour MP for Barrow, who added: “Like everyone who puts themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, his Royal Highness deserves nothing but praise and respect for his service in the armed forces.”
Tory Johnny Mercer, an Afghan veteran, said: "Not only is she wrong but she abuses the freedoms Prince Harry personally fought for.
"I would like Emma Dent Coad to apologise to him for both. I would also love to see him contribution to the society and nation she so swiftly condemns."
And fellow Conservative Tobias Ellwood, who was a former Army captain, called on her to attend the Invictus Games - the sporting event for disabled veterans founded by Prince Harry.
Jacob Rees-Mogg also slammed the MP's claims saying she was "demeaned" by her criticism of the royals.
He told The Sun: "Prince Harry undertook two tours of duty in Afghanistan and now helps support disabled servicemen.
"Snide criticisms of this record and of the decades of work by the Duke of Edinburgh demean the critic more than the royal family.
"No wonder they want the guillotine - the arguments of the hard militant left are so poor they have to resort to violence.”
During his 10-year full-time military career, Harry went on two tours of duty to Afghanistan and qualified as an Apache helicopter pilot after rigorous training in Britain and America.
His brother, William, served as an RAF search and rescue helicopter pilot before transferring his flying skills to the civilian arena, working as a pilot for the East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA).