06-09-21, 11:59
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re: The ROYALS: Queen Elisabeth in Hospital Stay-Now Back at Windsor Castle
Calls for Police to Probe Prince Charles Aide Over Cash for Honours Scandal
The future King’s former valet Michael Fawcett has temporarily stepped down as chief executive of the Prince’s Foundation following the accusations
BBC News 6 SEP 2021.
Michael Fawcett is a trusted aide to Prince Charles (Image: Getty Images)
Police have been asked to open a criminal investigation into an alleged cash for honours scandal involving one of Prince Charles’ closest aides.
Michael Fawcett is claimed to have helped arrange a CBE for businessman Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz.
Leaked emails suggest Mr Mahfouz, 51, was “promised” an honour after he donated £1.5million to restoration projects of interest to Charles, 72.
The prince awarded him a CBE in 2016 at a private ceremony that was not on the list of royal engagements.
Ex-Lib Dem MP Norman Baker said: “The idea Michael Fawcett was doing things Prince Charles knew nothing about is nonsense.
“Those two are like Tweedledum and Tweedledee – they speak three or four times a day.
Earlier today, Mr Fawcett refused to answer questions while walking near his London home after claims about his conduct were published in the Sunday Times and Mail on Sunday.
Mr Baker has emailed Met Police chief Cressida Dick asking for an inquiry.
He added: “I said I would draw her attention to the evidence of an offence under the Honours Act 1925.
“The suggestion there might be money in return for support for citizenship is potentially a corruption offence.”
Mr Mahfouz’s family made a fortune in the Middle East in the hotel, property and manufacturing industries.
It is suggested there were discussions about the prospect of an honour in 2011.
He later attended talks with the prince and Mr Fawcett at Clarence House.
Emails by adviser William Bortrick hint at the alleged “bargain” and in 2014 he told colleagues once his boss has “Hon OBE... then more money will flow.”
Mr Bortrick claimed the honour was “promised to MBM [Mahfouz Bin Mahfouz] to get the £1.5m he paid for Dumfries [House] and [Castle of] Mey.”
He added: “MF [Michael Fawcett] needs to keep to his side of the bargain and sort out the Hon OBE immediately; then assist with citizenship.”
Prince Charles helped buy Dumfries House in 2007 while Mey is one of his Scottish holiday residences.
Mr Mahfouz is one of the top donors to the prince’s charities and in 2015 a forest at the Queen Mother’s Highland retreat was renamed “Mahfouz Wood”.
At the time it was reported he donated £370,000 to the charitable trust that runs the Castle of Mey. The royals face being engulfed by the new alleged scandal after sex claims about Prince Andrew, which he denies, while Prince Harry ’s claims about racist conversations left the Palace reeling.
Sources say Prince Charles has been told of the inquiry into Mr Fawcett, who became a footman to the Queen in 1981.
Dr Mahfouz Marei Mubarak bin Mahfouz
Douglas Connell, chair of the Prince’s Foundation, added: “Michael fully supports the ongoing investigation.”
A spokesman for the Met Police said they are “aware” of the allegations but could not comment further at this time.
A source told the BBC the prince was not aware of links between donations to his education foundation and honours
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said all honours nominations face rigorous scrutiny.
In 2003, Mr Fawcett was cleared of claims on the selling of royal gifts.
He resigned after a report criticised the running of the royal household but continued to work as Prince Charles’ events manager.
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