No charity for the cad Hewitt still an outcast despite donating £ 92k to Diana cause

FOR more than a decade, he has been judged not to be fit company for officers or, for that matter, gentlemen. Ever since James Hewitt first began cashing in on his love affair with the late Princess Diana, the copperhaired cad has not been welcome in London’s clubland or even among society’s more fashionable gatherings.

Last night, deciding that discretion was the better part of valour, the 47-year-old former Cavalry officer decided to stay away from a party in his old — and happiest — stomping ground, the officers’ mess at Knightsbridge Barracks.

He had been invited by his close friend, Prince Charles’s former senior equerry Rupert Lendrum, for drinks. At a time when most friends melted away, Lendrum, 48, an ex- Guards officer himself, has been one of Hewitt’s staunchest supporters.

Even so, the prospect of the man dubbed the ‘ royal love rat’ striding confidently into the Household Cavalry mess might have had senior officers snorting into their pink gin. A friend tells me: ‘ Rupert’s been very loyal to James and he wanted him there, but Hewitt thought it would be better if he stayed away. He’d love to have gone — but would like to feel really welcome.’

It is, of course, Hewitt’s capacity to continue to spin out the story of his affair with Diana that provokes such strong reaction — even when his intentions are honourable, as I can now reveal. Last year, he took part in an admittedly tacky entertainment show for Channel Five called Back To Reality. His fellow contestants included Pop Idol loser Rik Waller and spoon-bender Uri Geller.

Hewitt emerged triumphant having stayed awake all night, eaten bugs and taken part in a singing contest. His winnings of £92,500 were donated to the London homeless charity The Passage.

There was a poignant irony in the choice of this good cause as it had been one of Diana’s favourite causes. She even once took Prince William there to meet down-and- outs.

THE charity — supported by Cardinal Cormac MurphyO’Connor, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster — was delighted with Hewitt’s huge contribution. But when a reception was held to promote a fundraising concert at Speaker’s House in the Palace of Westminster, there were objections to Hewitt’s attendance from peers and MPs.

Next week, in a bid to prevent a repeat of last year’s embarrassment, the event — which precedes an evening of music and comedy in Westminster’s Central Hall — has been relocated to the Banqueting House in Whitehall to accommodate Hewitt.

I am told: ‘Hewitt is very well regarded at the Passage and his fundraising effort was immensely appreciated — but unfortunately there are supporters who don’t want to see him at any public event.’