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Prince Charleshas denied trying to influence the police investigation into a pedophile bishop.
Charles, 69, made a lengthy statement to a special inquiry in Britain following investigations into Peter Ball, whom the prince invited to his country home in the early 1990s.
Prince Charlesstates, “At no stage did I ever seek to influence either of the police investigations, and nor did I instruct or encourage my staff to do so.”
John Stillwell/PA/AP
Charles told Ball in 1997 that the accuser, whom he later learned was Neil Todd, was a “frightful, terrifying man” who was “up to his dastardly tricks again.”
Charles added, “I’ll see off this horrid man if he tries anything again.”
On Friday, Charles said in his statement to the inquiry that he initially believed the bishop because after the police investigation into Todd’s accusation of sexual abuse, no charges were immediately filed.
“Events later demonstrated beyond any doubt, to my deep regret, that I, along with many others, had been misled.”
But Charles had continued to support Ball even after his resignation amid the scandal, according to inquiry documents.
When the bishop lost his home, Charles put him in touch with the Duchy of Cornwall, which Charles heads, enabling Ball and his brother to secure a new place to live. Charles also sent the brothers “small gifts of money,” he confirms in the letter to the inquiry.
Charles says that the true extent of the complaint against Ball didn’t come to his attention until the court case involving Ball in the fall of 2015.
He concludes, “My heart goes out to the victims of abuse and I applaud their courage as they rebuild their lives and, so often, offer invaluable support to others who have suffered. It remains a source of deep personal regret that I was one of many who were deceived over a long period of time about the true nature of Mr. Ball’s activities. That is why I wanted to volunteer the facts in this letter, which I believe to be true, in the hope that they might be able to help your important work.”
source: people.com
