A prophet says Welby

THE Prince of Wales was described as a “prophet” by the Archbishop of Canterbury yesterday.

The Most Rev Justin Welby said the Prince had shown his “prophetic instincts” in his championing of the environment and his early warnings of the threat posed by plastic pollution.

The leader of the Anglican church was speaking as peers in the House of Lords wished the Prince of Wales “many happy returns” on turning 70.

The Archbishop said: “To some extent, his Royal Highness is a prophet.

“A prophet in the Old Testament is someone who sees slightly further into things than other people and, perhaps to some people’s discomfort at times, may bring them out and is then proved to be right.

“He has shown his prophetic instincts, not least in his welcome advocacy of the critical need to protect the environment and... his instincts around plastics pollution.

“Those efforts have been well ahead of most of us in this chamber.”

Lords deputy leader Earl Howe moved what is known as the humble address to mark the royal birthday.

The Tory frontbencher said: “At times, he has been accused of meddling, but he has raised important issues, such as the impact of climate change and the effect of waste and plastics on the environment, well before they became political priorities.”

Labour leader in the Lords Baroness Smith of Basildon pointed out that on environmental issues Charles had at times “ruffled a few feathers”.

She said: “There is no doubt, however, that what in the 1970s were regarded as somewhat eccentric issues are today’s problems.”