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Gordon Brown: Harry's Sorry, Now Move On

But victim's dad slams prince

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 12, 2009 7:35 AM CST

(Newser) – Britain’s PM defended Prince Harry today amid an uproar over an army training-camp home video in which Harry calls a colleague “our little Paki friend,” the Daily Mail reports. “I think Prince Harry knows that these comments aren't acceptable,” Gordon Brown said, in calling for the matter to be dropped. “I think the sincereness of his apology cannot be doubted.” But the cadet’s father begged to differ, calling Harry’s words “a disgraceful insult.”

While Brown called Harry a “role model” for his efforts in Afghanistan action, the father rejected Harry’s claims that his comments weren’t meant to be derogatory. Harry will face a lecture from his commanding officer and a mark on his record.

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Britain's Prince Harry steps from a military plane at RAF Brize Norton, England, on his return from active military service in Afghanistan, Saturday, March 1, 2008. (AP Photo / Andrew Parsons, PA)

Prince Harry in March. (AP Photo/John Stillwell)

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Prince Harry should apologise to the Pakistani Army and to the Pakistani government for this. I cannot accept his apology unless they first accept his apology. - Muhammad Yaqoob Khan Abbasi, father of the slur victim

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 4 comments

Guest

Jan 13, 2009 3:57 AM CST

He doesn't act racist, doesn't look racist ... hmmm, seems to me the ears it has fallen on are having the racial issues here. Besides, Pakistani is a very long and tedious word - is there an offensive historical reasoning behind its shortened counterpart? If not then I will from now on resent being called a "Brit"!

Newser001

Jan 12, 2009 11:10 PM CST

The abbreviation Paki acquired offensive connotations in the 1960s when used by British tabloids to refer to subjects of former colony states in a derogatory and racist manner. In modern British usage "Paki" is typically used in a derogatory way as a label for all South Asians, including Indians, Afghans and Bangladeshis. To a lesser extent, the term has been applied as a racial slur towards Arabs and other Middle Eastern-looking groups who may resemble South Asians. During the 60's many emigrants were also dubbed as "black" to further segregrate them from the white community. Some would say such a division still exists in parts of England.

Mad

Jan 12, 2009 12:26 AM CST

OMG, he's in a military setting, he wasn't sitting down having tea with his grandmother the queen - sheesh. Ask those he referenced if they are offended by the words? This is crazy. I hope this would never happen in America

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Gordon Brown: Harry's Sorry, Now Move On