Royals are 'bonkers' says MP Kim

Sophie Rhys-Jones caused a media storm

Consumer Affairs Minister Kim Howells has widened the row over the Countess of Wessex - by describing all royals as "a bit bonkers".

A daily newspaper which published the Pontypridd MP's comments has also quoted him as saying that the royal family should be self-sufficient, and should not be subsidised by the taxpayer.

No more talking : Kim Howells MP

Mr Howells is said to have told The Daily Telegraph that he had "never understood the attraction of royalty".

And he added: "This isn't the first generation. They're all a bit bonkers.

"They choose very strange partners, they're not managing the modern world very well."

He has so far refused to make any further comment.

At his home in Pontypridd, south Wales, he refused to be interviewed, telling reporters:"I've said all I'm going to say. I've got no further comment."

The minister's comments have provided additional fuel for the fire of controversy surrounding the unguarded opinions expressed by Prince Edward's wife Sophie Rhys-Jones during a business meeting with a reporter posing as a sheik.

They're all a bit bonkers... they're not managing the modern world very well."

Dr Kim Howells

Fellow Welsh Labour MP Paul Flynn, on the other hand, has rushed to defend the Countess against media criticism.

The MP for Newport West said he deplored the actions of "the jackals of the tabloid press".

But, he added: "It does reveal the absurdity of the situation where royals have to pretend they are superior beings above the political fray - they are as frail and foolish as all the rest of us."

Meanwhile Buckingham Palace is bracing itself for more embarrassing newspaper revelations involving the Countess of Wessex and her public relations company.

The News of the World is said to be consulting lawyers about publishing transcripts of conversations between Sophie, her business partner, Murray Harkin, and an undercover reporter posing as a sheikh.

It does reveal the absurdity of the situation where royals have to pretend they are superior beings above the political fray

Paul Flynn MP

The Countess is alleged to have made disparaging comments about members of the royal family and other senior public figures during the meeting.

Details of the conversation reported to have taken place between Sophie and the journalist Mazher Mahmood, were printed in two newspapers last Sunday.

Sophie and her husband met the Queen's senior adviser at their Bagshot Park mansion after returning from an official visit to Bahrain on Wednesday.

The meeting with private secretary Sir Robin Janvrin is thought to have concerned the couple's security arrangements as well as the alleged indiscretions secretly filmed by the News of the World.

Recordings

Sir Robin was expected to ask Sophie and Edward about the contents of the videotapes so he could fully brief the Queen and be prepared for any further allegations affecting the Royal Family.

The News of the World is thought to still have tapes of the meeting between the reporter, the countess and Mr Harkin.

The countess has already been warned that her company, RJH Public Relations, could be jeopardised by her apparent "naivety".

PR Week, the magazine for the public relations industry, said the alleged blunder would not inspire confidence in her clients.

'More revelations'

Publicist Max Clifford, who was involved in the breaking of last weekend's story, said there could be more damaging allegations on the way.

"Several of the Sunday newspapers are working very hard to bring out more revelations. As to whether they do or not, time will tell.

"Obviously the Palace and Sophie's people are trying very hard to make sure that they don't come out."

Public relations consultant Mark Borkowski told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that the royal family needed the protection of a PR "rottweiler" who "has that edge and that toughness who can take control and understands the scorpion that is the media".

A senior Tory politician urged junior members of the royal family to support the dignity of the monarchy - or "shut up."

David Davis, Conservative MP for Haltemprice and Howden, said: "It is very important to support the Queen, the Queen Mother, Prince Charles, but all the other hangers-on, I think we have to take a slightly different view on."

Mr Davis said he believed Sophie and other junior royals should earn a living but in a way that did not undermine the monarchy.