Labour MP defends claim Prince Harry can't fly helicopters
2 min read
A Labour MP has doubled down on her controversial claim that Prince Harry cannots drive a helicopter and "just sits there going 'vroom vroom'".
Emma Dent Coad said although she could not prove the claim she had been told it was "absolute fact".
And after drawing criticism for her comments the Kensington MP insisted the taxpayer should not fund the royal family.
At a fringe event during the Labour conference in Brighton yesterday, Ms Dent Coad told activists: "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."
She added: "So he just sits there going 'vroom vroom'."
After sparking fury for the comments, Ms Dent Coad told the BBC Daily Politics today: "Somebody else will tell me whether or not that's true.
"But I've been told that's an absolute fact that somebody sits beside him and drives the helicopters for him."
Elsewhere at the fringe event Ms Dent Coad said Prince Harry and his brother William were "not very bright", and added: "Just let them drift away, be playboys or whatever."
John Woodcock, the ex-chair of Labour's backbench Defence Committee, said the "highly inaccurate comments" were not widespread in Labour.
"I am really sorry this happened," he added.
But Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner said Ms Dent Coad was "entitled to her opinion".
She told Sky News: "I'm absolutely clear that the monarchy is here and they are going to be around for a long time.
"William and Harry actually have made them much more trendier than they have been for a long time, dare I say it."
She added: "I think that Harry's been doing a fantastic job, especially with regard to our veterans.”
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