Harry advisers to face MPs' questions

MPs are to summon the advisers to Prince Harry and Prince William as part of an investigation into royal finances.

The Commons public accounts committee will start an inquiry next month into the £16 million annual income received by Prince Charles from his Duchy of Cornwall estate.

The move comes a week after 20-year-old Harry caused worldwide outrage and embarrassed his family by wearing a Nazi uniform to a friend's fancy-dress party.

Among those expected to be summoned by MPs include Sir Michael Peat, who runs Prince Charles's private office.

The all-party committee wants to question Sir Michael about the recruitment of advisers employed for the young princes. Charles's press secretary Paddy Harverson may also be called in.

The "swastika" incident follows an outburst last year when Harry lashed out at photographers outside a London nightclub. MPs want to know how advisers are recruited and their terms of employment. Labour committee member Ian Davidson said: "Where do they get these people who are advising Harry? They are either negligent, incompetent, politically suspect or a combination of all three.

"We will be entitled to ask, as this income goes to the Crown with various tax exemptions, if it is being spent wisely on the recruitment of staff. Are the recruitment procedures fair and open?

"Are vacancies advertised in the way that government operates? Or is it, as I suspect, a place where it's jobs for the boys?" The income from the Duchy of Cornwall funds the Prince of Wales's private office and the salary of 84 employees. These include Sir Michael, several private secretaries and the office costs of Camilla Parker Bowles.

Mr Davidson said: "Harry clearly requires better-quality advisers who would have told him he was not leaving the house dressed as a Nazi. You don't have to be that bright to work out it's a stupid and offensive thing to do."

It was reported that in the wake of the incident, Prince Charles ordered his younger son to help out on his organic farm at Highgrove.