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Furor Follows Harry's 'Paki' Vid

Prince's taped words 'not acceptable in a modern army': official

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 11, 2009 2:20 PM CST

(Newser) – Britain's defense ministry has launched a formal inquiry following widespread outcry over a videotape showing Prince Harry calling a fellow military trainee “our little Paki friend” and another cadet “a raghead,” reports the Telegraph. “This sort of language is not acceptable in a modern army,” a Defense spokesman told the Guardian.

“The army takes all allegations of inappropriate behavior very seriously, and all substantive allegations are investigated,” he added. “This might have been said in a lighthearted manner, but ultimately it's offensive to a lot of people,” said an MP. Muslim leaders say the comments could harm UK relations with British Islamic groups at a time when the army is trying to recruit more Muslims. The royal family has apologized for the remarks.

[Images (6)]

[Videos (1)]

in this May 5, 2008, file photo, Britain's Prince Harry, second left, arrives for a thanksgiving service at the Army Garrison Church in Windsor, England. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham/FILE)

Britain's Prince Harry arrives to present the awards at the Woman's Own Children of Courage Awards at Westminster Abbey in London, Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Britain's Prince Harry listens as his brother, Prince William (not pictured), delivers a speech in west London Thursday Jan. 8, 2009. (AP Photo/Toby Melville, pool)

Britain's Prince Harry, left, and his girlfriend Chelsy Davy, right, look at each other before the rugby match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium in London, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

Britain's Prince Harry talks to his girlfriend Chelsy Davy, who was born in Zimbabwe, before the rugby match between England and South Africa at Twickenham stadium in west London, Saturday Nov. 22, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Britain's Prince Harry sits atop a military vehicle in the Helmand province, southern Afghanistan, in this Monday, Feb. 18, 2008 file photo. (AP Photo/John Stillwell, pool)

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Furor Follows Harry's 'Paki' Vid