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Palace rape probe: Key questions
What are the implications for the British monarchy of allegations of gay rape involving one of Prince Charles's key aides? CNN's Nic Robertson interviewed royal analyst Robert Jobson, who says it is a puzzle why firm action was not taken earlier. Robertson: How concerned is Prince Charles at this stage about what's happening? Jobson: Very concerned. There's a crisis summit at St James's Palace as we speak involving his top aides who are trying to get a handle on the situation before it spirals out of control -- which it appears to be doing at the moment. (Full story) Robertson: How much trouble is the monarchy in over Burrell and this latest scandal? Jobson: It's not good. I think we should step back and look at the situation -- that's what they will do. They will just hope that something else comes along, another crisis, another story, to take the heat off them. I think they are going to adopt an ostrich approach, bury their head in the sand and hope that this thing goes away. But I don't think it will. The newspapers have certainly got their teeth into it. Robertson: What options do the royal family have at this stage? Jobson: One option they have is for the alleged rapist to come forward publicly rather than hide behind anonymity and actually go on the record and say that this is complete nonsense. They could call a full-scale inquiry with an independent body such as a judge who would be respected and, indeed, could look into what actually happened in this investigation. Or, as I say, the more likely option is to do absolutely nothing and hope it goes away. Robertson: What are the implications though about Prince Charles's staff and the way they have handled this situation over the last few years? Jobson: Well, at best it shows that the people at the time, the heads of department concerned, had impaired judgement. Somebody should have taken this on board and actually realised what the situation was -- how grave it was -- and brought it to the attention of the police much earlier. But I think it does call into question Prince Charles's judgment and it does raise the question: Why is he standing by this unnamed aide for so long? Really, surely he should have suspended the man until a proper police investigation.
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