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Thu 31 May 2012
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Aide defends Prince Charles amid property dispute
Wed 30 Jun 2010
A royal official has defended the Prince of Wales after a judge said his involvement in the redevelopment of Chelsea Barracks was unwelcome.
Some have argued that Prince Charles stepped outside his constitutional role by using his influence to criticise the £3 billion project in a letter to the Qatari prime minister.
Develop Qatari Diar subsequently pulled out of the deal, which has triggered a legal dispute with CPC Group.
Sir Michael Peat, the prince's private secretary, has insisted that the heir to the throne was simply passing on the views of local people who were concerned about the project.
He said Prince Charles was standing up for the interests of "ordinary people" who might not otherwise have been heard.
Sir Michael stated that this is part of the prince's role and duty.
He added that many property developers consider the views of local residents equally unwelcome, as their sole motivation is to make money.
The Candy Brothers are suing the Qatari royal family for £81 million after Qatari Diar pulled out of the deal.
Emma Chadwick, a partner at Winckworth Sherwood Solicitors, commented: "This case again demonstrates how the courts will not only consider the actions of the parties involved in the breach of contract claim, but will look to the surrounding factors potentially influencing the parties and which could shed light on why certain decisions were or were not taken."
