Political row erupts over Royal interview as minister criticises Keir Starmer’s response

Keir Starmer said Meghan’s allegations must be taken seriously

(PA Wire)" />

A political row erupted over the Royal interview today as Sir Keir Starmer said Meghan’s allegations must be taken seriously — but a senior Cabinet minister said Labour’s leader should not be “stirring the pond”.

Downing Street continued to be silent about the couple’s account, despite comments being freely made in political capitals around the world, including at the White House where Joe Biden’s spokesman praised the “courage” of the Duchess of Sussex.

Sir Keir said the issue must be confronted. "Nobody, but nobody, should be prejudiced (against) because of the colour of their skin or because of their mental health issues," he said.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland however claimed it was inappropriate for politicians to weigh in, saying: “These issues should be dealt with by Buckingham Palace and it should be a matter for them … I think it’s a long practice and the right practice for Government … not to start shoving its oar into issues relating to the Royal Family.”

Watch: How Are People Reacting to the Harry and Meghan's Interview?

Asked by GMB host Piers Morgan if Sir Keir was wrong to “shove his oar in”, Mr Buckland said: “He had better answer for himself as to why he has said what he has said. I think it’s far better for us not to start stirring the pond and making comments in that way.”

Labour sources hit back at Mr Buckland, with one saying: “Keir has set out very clearly his view when it comes to allegations of racism and matters of mental health. I don’t think these are issues where the public would expect us to be quiet.

“The Prime Minister should hold these issues in importance, as Keir does.”

The political divide was reflected among backbenchers, with several Conservative MPs defending the Royal Family while Labour backbenchers were more willing to express concern.

Labour MP Diane Abbott, one of the first black MPs in Britain, hoped that the “moving” interview would encourage black and mixed-race women not to suffer in silence. “Nobody can take the sort of abuse that Meghan had to take and that I’ve had to take,” she told Today.

Conservative MP Michael Fabricant said he believed the comment that upset Meghan and Harry was probably just “natural curiosity” about their future children’s looks.

“I find it hard to believe that there is any racism in the Royal Family,” he told the Standard. Both Queen Charlotte, the wife of George III, and Queen Philippa, the wife of Edward III, had African heritage.

“To me it seems perfectly natural for family and friends to speculate about the looks of a child, its eye colour, hair colour and so on. Is that racist?”

Sir Robert Syms said: “If you have a falling out with your family, it’s usually best not to go on American prime time television but to say ‘let’s have a coffee and talk about this’.

“I think last night made it worse for everyone. It’s not a happy place for Harry in particular, nor for the Queen who cares for her grandson.”

He emphasised: “I am very proud of the Royal Family and the Queen is a wonderful example of public service. Even the junior royals are presidents of charities and do really good work.

“I don’t think it looks very good when we have coded allegations from Harry and his wife against the Royal Family which are now going around the world.”

Watch: The key revelations from Meghan and Harry’s Oprah interview

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