The MP for Kensington has hit back at criticism after she reportedly mocked Prince Harry’s military service.
Emma Dent Coad said the “press are in charge of the narrative” after media reports failed to focus on her comments on Grenfell Tower .
She had reportedly questioned Harry’s ability to fly a helicopter when addressing a meeting entitled "Reigning in the Monarchy" at the Labour Party conference in Brighton.
The Sun quoted Ms Dent Coad as saying: “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.
Grenfell 100 days on
“So he just sits there going ‘vroom vroom’.”
She also reportedly said that Harry and his brother William were “not very bright”, adding: “Just let them drift away, be playboys or whatever.”
Ms Dent Coad was elected as Kensington MP in June, and her constituency includes both Grenfell Tower and Kensington Palace, official home of Princes William and Harry.
Criticism came from John Woodcock, the MP for Barrow & Furness and former chair of Labour’s backbench defence committee.
He reported on Twitter: “The highly inaccurate comments reportedly made by one of our colleagues, which disparage Prince Harry’s military service, in no way reflect the views of my party.
“Like everyone who put themselves in harm’s way to keep us safe, His Royal Highness deserves nothing but praise and respect for his service in the armed forces.
“In addition to his tours of duty in Afghanistan, Prince Harry inspires so many by the way he champions injured, ill and wounded servicemen and women through the Invictus Games which he founded.
“I am really sorry that this has happened.”
Responding to the coverage on Wednesday September 27, Ms Dent Coad pointed to the lack of media reports about her comments on the Grenfell Tower disaster.
She told the Press Association: “I’ve spoken five times about the Grenfell fire , yet this is all they’re interested in, which really proves the point I was making about the press in charge of the narrative.”
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