Labour MP Emma Dent Coad defends 'vroom vroom' Prince Harry slur
Colleagues slam the MP for saying Prince Harry "can't actually fly a helicopter" - "he just sits there going 'vroom vroom'."
Wednesday 27 September 2017 12:46, UK
A Labour MP has called for a "proper debate about the Royal Family" as she defended her criticism of Prince Harry.
Kensington MP Emma Dent Coad, whose local constituents include the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as well as Prince Harry, has been criticised for her controversial remarks at a pro-republican meeting at Labour's conference in Brighton.
She was quoted as questioning Prince Harry's abilities as a helicopter pilot, while also branding the former soldier and his brother as "not very bright".
According to The Sun, Ms Dent Coad told a "Reigning In The Monarchy" event: "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'."
Prince Harry completed two tours of Afghanistan with the British Army before retiring from military service to concentrate on his royal duties in 2015.
The MP .
Ms Dent Coad was criticised by her fellow Labour MP John Woodcock, who wrote on Twitter: "The highly inaccurate comments reportedly made by one of our colleagues, which disparage Prince Harry's military service, in no reflect the views of my party.
"Like everyone who put 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.
"In addition to his tours of duty in Afghanistan, Prince Harry inspires so many by the way he champions injured, ill and wounded servicemen and women through the Invictus Games which he founded.
"I am really sorry that this has happened."
Tory defence minister Tobias Ellwood also invited Ms Dent Coad to attend the Invictus Games, an athletic event for wounded soldiers founded by Prince Harry, to "learn how it started and about our brave military".
The Labour MP was elected to Parliament at June's snap General Election and has been praised for her response to the Grenfell Tower disaster in her constituency.
She appeared to dismiss the controversy over her reported remarks, claiming it "proves my point about the right-wing press running the narrative in relation to the Royals".
She told the Huffington Post: "I've spoken five times at conference about the Grenfell fire but this is all they are interested in.
"We should be allowed to have an opinion. Let's have a proper debate about the Royal Family."