Britain’s top Court has ordered the government to release
secret correspondence between Prince Charles and different government
departments, a major setback for the royal family and a huge success for
advocates of media freedom in the country.
Press TV: The Supreme
Court on Thursday ruled that 27 letters sent by Prince Charles to
government ministries in 2004-2005 can be disclosed to the media. The
order comes at the end of a 10-year legal battle between Guardian
journalist Rob Evans and the British government.
In 2005, Evans asked Number 10 Downing Street to disclose the letters under the Freedom of Information Act. Evans accused the prince of attempts to influence politics.
Britain’s former attorney general stopped a previous ruling for the publication of the letters, saying they only represent Charles’ personal views. However, the new verdict rejected the notion that the correspondences were of personal nature.
"The Supreme Court dismisses the attorney general's appeal," read the order.
The new court ruling casts further doubts over how influential Charles could be in politics in case he becomes the King in the future. In Britain, the royal family normally does not meddle in politics, but Charles has outspokenly expressed his views on political and social matters.
The Guardian daily praised the ruling, with its editor saying that the verdict marks a major victory for freedom of expression.
"This is a good day for transparency in government and shows how essential it is to have a fully independent judiciary and free press," Alan Rusbridger said in a statement on Twitter.
The government in London also tried to block the publication on the grounds that they were exempt from the law and appealed against the initial verdict. Prime Minister David Cameron and aides to the prince have voiced disappointment over the decision.
In 2005, Evans asked Number 10 Downing Street to disclose the letters under the Freedom of Information Act. Evans accused the prince of attempts to influence politics.
Britain’s former attorney general stopped a previous ruling for the publication of the letters, saying they only represent Charles’ personal views. However, the new verdict rejected the notion that the correspondences were of personal nature.
"The Supreme Court dismisses the attorney general's appeal," read the order.
The new court ruling casts further doubts over how influential Charles could be in politics in case he becomes the King in the future. In Britain, the royal family normally does not meddle in politics, but Charles has outspokenly expressed his views on political and social matters.
The Guardian daily praised the ruling, with its editor saying that the verdict marks a major victory for freedom of expression.
"This is a good day for transparency in government and shows how essential it is to have a fully independent judiciary and free press," Alan Rusbridger said in a statement on Twitter.
The government in London also tried to block the publication on the grounds that they were exempt from the law and appealed against the initial verdict. Prime Minister David Cameron and aides to the prince have voiced disappointment over the decision.
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