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The Freedom of Information Law in the UK is now being changed to enable the Saxe-Coburg-Gotha family to operate in secret, following FOI leaks about the enactment of their absolute power behind the scenes:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/no...secret-fiefdom
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/oc...to-legislation
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/au...about-planning
The above appears to have led to the UK government enacting new legislation, specifically:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...y-2179148.html
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/no...secret-fiefdom
Your disclosures concerning the little-known rights and powers of the Duke of Cornwall (Prince Charles offered veto over politicians, 31 October) only touch the surface of this secretive constitutional arrangement. In essence, the Duchy of Cornwall is extra-jurisdictional to parliament. This manifests itself in many ways, For example, the duke is not required to pay income tax. But there are other, more serious, constitutional considerations.
Although the duke is keen to disseminate the myth that the duchy is merely a collection of estates, in fact he owns the whole of Cornwall. Many government bodies acknowledge this. For example, Treasury Solicitors state "The Duchy of Cornwall comprises the County of Cornwall", and HM Land Registry declares "The Duchy of Cornwall is broadly the same extent as the modern county".
Although the duke is keen to disseminate the myth that the duchy is merely a collection of estates, in fact he owns the whole of Cornwall. Many government bodies acknowledge this. For example, Treasury Solicitors state "The Duchy of Cornwall comprises the County of Cornwall", and HM Land Registry declares "The Duchy of Cornwall is broadly the same extent as the modern county".
Ministers have been forced to seek permission from Prince Charles to pass at least a dozen government bills, according to a Guardian investigation into a secretive constitutional loophole that gives him the right to veto legislation that might affect his private interests.
A letter from the office of the Prince of Wales to Boris Johnson, the mayor of London about planning issues in the capital is being kept secret because disclosure could undermine the prince's "political neutrality".
The admission is likely to increase calls for greater transparency over the lobbying of ministers by Prince Charles, and his aides and charities. It comes amid continued concern that the prince's involvement in political matters could cause a constitutional crisis if and when he becomes king.
On Monday it emerged that several of the prince's charities have been lobbying government ministers to change policy on issues ranging from VAT to regional development policy.
The admission is likely to increase calls for greater transparency over the lobbying of ministers by Prince Charles, and his aides and charities. It comes amid continued concern that the prince's involvement in political matters could cause a constitutional crisis if and when he becomes king.
On Monday it emerged that several of the prince's charities have been lobbying government ministers to change policy on issues ranging from VAT to regional development policy.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...y-2179148.html
The Royal Family is to be granted absolute protection from public scrutiny in a controversial legal reform designed to draw a veil of secrecy over the affairs of the Queen, Prince Charles and Prince William.
Letters, emails and documents relating to the monarch, her heir and the second in line to the throne will no longer be disclosed even if they are in the public interest.
Sweeping changes to the Freedom of Information Act will reverse advances which had briefly shone a light on the royal finances – including an attempt by the Queen to use a state poverty fund to heat Buckingham Palace – and which had threatened to force the disclosure of the Prince of Wales's prolific correspondence with ministers.
Letters, emails and documents relating to the monarch, her heir and the second in line to the throne will no longer be disclosed even if they are in the public interest.
Sweeping changes to the Freedom of Information Act will reverse advances which had briefly shone a light on the royal finances – including an attempt by the Queen to use a state poverty fund to heat Buckingham Palace – and which had threatened to force the disclosure of the Prince of Wales's prolific correspondence with ministers.