First the toothfish, now red squirrels
PRINCE Charles’ campaign to save the Patagonian toothfish raised eyebrows when letters to ministers were released in April.
Now a new cache of missives shows he has also lobbied on a range of bizarre campaigns in Scotland as well, including support for homeopathic medicine, spiritual healing as a cure for asthma and the red squirrel.
Charles, who is known as the Duke of Rothesay in Scotland, also asked ministers about ecotowns and young offenders policy.
The latest ‘black spider memos’ reveal a warm relationship between Prince Charles and Alex Salmond, as the former First Minister humoured his sometimes strange requests. In one letter Charles makes reference to his reputation, admit- ting he was ‘at risk of being a bore’. The correspondence is typed but comes with eccentric underlining in black, spidery handwriting.
Between 2007 and 2014, 30 l etters were exchanged between Charles, Mr Salmond, Scottish National Heritage and Historic Scotland. Most related to the Prince’s charities, although Mr Salmond did write to Charles three times to assure him independence would not threaten the Queen’s position as head of state.
Other subjects that caught the Prince’s attention included environmentally-friendly smallscale fisheries, education policy and bees. Mr Salmond showed due deference in his replies, signing one off: ‘I have the honour, Sir, to be Your Royal Highness’s most humble and obedient servant.’
In 2009, a request from Mr Salmond for the Prince to intervene in a dispute with Diageo over the closure of a bottling plant in Kilmarnock was rejected as Charles believed it was inappropriate, although he offered support to the community from one of his charities.
But the anti-monarchy Republic group accused Charles of ‘interfering’ in government. Spokesman Graham Smith said: ‘We cannot have unaccountable princes influencing government without proper scrutiny.’
A Clarence House spokesman said: ‘The Duke of Rothesay believes that he should have a right to communicate privately.’