WikiLeaks cables: 'Rude' Prince Andrew shocks US ambassador

[cali]

Prince Andrew launched a scathing attack on British anti-corruption investigators, journalists and the French during an "astonishingly candid" performance at an official engagement that shocked a US diplomat.

Tatiana Gfoeller, Washington's ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, recorded in a secret cable that Andrew spoke "cockily" at the brunch with British and Canadian business people, leading a discussion that "verged on the rude".

During the two-hour engagement in 2008 at a hotel in the capital, Bishkek, Andrew, who travels the globe as a special UK trade representative, attacked Britain's corruption investigators in the Serious Fraud Office for what he called "idiocy".

He went on to denounce Guardian reporters investigating bribery as "those journalists … who poke their noses everywhere".

In the cable from the US embassy to Washington in October 2008, Gfoeller wrote: "Rude language a la British … turned to the general issue of promoting British economic interests abroad. He railed at British anti-corruption investigators, who had had the 'idiocy' of almost scuttling the Al-Yamama deal with Saudi Arabia."

<snip>

http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2010/nov/29/wikileaks-cables-rude-prince-andrew

[bluestateguy]

1. He's always had a bit of a problem with grace and tact

Like the Nazi uniform at a party a few years back.

BUT unlike many elites in this country, he served his country in wartime on the battlefield, and you have to credit him for that.

[LostInAnomie]

3. Different Prince, I think.

I think that was Harry.

[MineralMan]

2. So interesting, I read it twice.

:rofl:

[alcibiades_mystery]

4. Wow, this Wikileaks thing is really turning into Geraldo's opening of Al Capone's vault

I'll give that Julian Assange one thing: he's a brilliant promoter of nonsense. Could he be the next P.T. Barnum?

[eleny]

5. And yet, it has Atty Gen Holder peeing all over himself about it

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. Sure it does

:rofl:

[leveymg]

6. I see idiocy remains in the Royal bloodline.

So much for hoping that the institution of the British monarchy is actually going to redeem itself in this lifetime.

Yamamah is nothing but a giant Saudi slush fund used to buy off western politicians (and, perhaps, monarchs)? No wonder Bonny Prince Andy is so outraged that prying journalists might spoil kill the goose and spoil the Oil Kingdom's funny money machine!