A dizzying array of freebies . . . that can all be kept secret

THE Committee on Standards in Public Life has set out a series of tests for those holding a public position. MPs rightly have a tight code of conduct when it comes to accepting gifts, for example, and Ministers a yet more onerous one. But the Royal Family seems to have exempted itself. There is a culture of accepting freebies and exploiting the Royal name for personal gain, which clearly violates the requirements of some of the tests applied to others in public office. Instead of acting with financial integrity, there are some in the family who seem to use their status as a way of enriching themselves.

Royal supporters will argue that the Windsors receive this largesse in a private capacity.

But individuals employed in public roles elsewhere are required to declare private activities where this might affect their public roles.

Councillors, for instance, have to withdraw from discussions on planning matters if the application being considered may affect their private position.

Members of Parliament are required to register any income from whatever source above a low threshold, whether or not it has any obvious connection with their parliamentary activities.

But the Royal Family can accept any free holiday, free use of a castle, the use of a private jet, a luxury car or designer clothes... all without any requirement even to record these gifts (although official gifts are recorded).

In my view, as a basic step, each member of the Royal Family should be required to register anything worth in excess of £150 unless it is genuinely from close friends or family.

They should also be required to register gifts in kind with a value greater than the £150 limit, where there is a public aspect to this, such as clothes lent to be worn on official engagements.

We have a right to know who is buying favour with those who comprise one leg of our constitutional structure, namely the monarchy, and they should have a duty to make that information public, just as others in public office have to.