Trial told of poker at the palace

Paul Page with wife, Laura, who was cleared of charges related to the case

An ex-royal protection officer accused of a £3m betting and property scam has claimed colleagues played poker and traded porn while at Buckingham Palace.

Paul Page, who allegedly cheated investors out of life savings, made the claims while giving evidence in his defence at Southwark Crown Court.

Mr Page, 38, of Grays, Essex, denies fraudulent trading and intimidation.

He is accused of taking from colleagues and others to set up a false investment scheme to finance a life of luxury.

Mr Page has also pleaded not guilty to threatening to take revenge on a victim who spoke to police.

His wife Laura, 42, has been cleared of charges she originally faced in connection with the case.

Officers were running poker games for money in down time Paul Page

Opening his defence at Southwark Crown Court, father-of-five Mr Page said officers in the royal protection command could earn up to £60,000 a year with overtime "for doing very little".

Shifts involved two hours on post, followed by at least an hour off post.

"Officers were running poker games for money in down time," he said.

"There was one officer and he did sell porn. He used to get it from Holland, bring it back and sell it to officers while on duty."

Prosecutors claim Mr Page had "developed a reputation for being good with money" after joining the Met Police's royalty protection command at Buckingham Palace in 1998.

He encouraged colleagues to invest in his "Currency Club" by promising "unrealistically high" rates of return through spread betting, the court has heard.

As the risky bets failed and losses mounted, the prosecution claims, he was forced to use new members' investments to pay longer-standing members interest.

'Class culture'

When his cash flow problems continued to grow, he set up a property company which the Crown alleges was a front to fund his betting activities.

Mr Page is said to have committed the offences between January 2003 and March 2007.

The trial, which began two months ago, has previously heard allegations that officers responsible for guarding the Queen and other royals took photos of each other sitting on thrones.

During Monday's proceedings, Mr Page claimed many members of the royal household instilled a class culture at Buckingham Palace.

Royal protection officers were treated as a "necessary evil" who were expected to turn a blind eye to crime at the palace, including instances of domestic abuse in servants' quarters, he said.

Mr Page - who is representing himself - told the court there was a steroid racket at the palace.

He also described a colleague being given access to guns despite suffering side-effects from the drugs, including mood swings.

The trial continues.