Post by Taxigirl on Nov 9, 2003 10:46:39 GMT
Many of Sunday's papers concentrate on the continuing controversy surrounding unspecified allegations concerning the Prince of Wales.
According to the News of the World, it was during an investigation into the aftermath of the Paul Burrell trial by the Prince of Wales's own office that former aide Mark Bolland was asked by the prince's private secretary Sir Michael Peat "Do you think the Prince of Wales is bisexual?"
In an article for the paper, Mark Bolland stresses that he emphatically did not think that was the case. Sir Michael denies to the News of the World that he ever asked the question.
Unable to disclose details of the mystery incident, alleged to have involved Prince Charles, many of the papers turn their attention to the Royal Family's reactions to the claims.
The Sunday Times reports that Prince William is bullish about taking on his father's tormentors, concerned that the allegations could damage him in the same way that he believes some parts of the media destroyed his mother.
The paper says Clarence House has asked a firm of libel specialists to study the latest claims.
The Independent on Sunday quotes the former shadow attorney general, Edward Garnier QC, as saying that the damages would be enormous. "It could cost him his job as heir to the throne and head of the state and church. It could also wreck the constitution."
Blair-Brown row
The latest public row between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown has the unusual quality of having united most of the political commentators.
The Independent on Sunday says there was utter bemusement at Westminster that a politician of the stature of Mr Brown should have become so agitated at being denied a seat on Labour's National Executive Committee.
"Of the many and profound quarrels between Tony Blair and Gordon Brown" writes Andrew Rawnsley in the Observer, this is the most trivial.
"Mr Blair looks petty for blocking Mr Brown" he argues, adding "Mr Brown looks petulant for sulking about it."
The Sunday Times commentator, Ferdinand Mount, writes that most number twos come to resent their treatment by the boss over time, but it does not usually spill over into the public domain until they have reached the point of resigning.
The new Conservative shadow cabinet comes up for scrutiny.
The Daily Star Sunday thinks the former Home Affairs spokesman Oliver Letwin will become the shadow Chancellor, while Liam Fox, who was the shadow health secretary, will become chairman.
The News of the World says Dr Fox's first job will be to sweep away Iain Duncan Smith's lame duck advisers and make way for the big hitters.
President's visit
But the Sunday Express highlights research by the Conservative party's own pollsters which suggests that Mr Howard will have to appoint a new, untried team, made up of faceless unknowns.
Looking ahead to President Bush's state visit later this month, the Observer notes that with thousands of anti-war demonstrators planning to stage protests, London will see the highest ever security reserved for a foreign head of state.
The paper's cartoonist, Thompson, illustrates a concerned Tony Blair turning to President Bush and asking "Are you sure this is really necessary, George?" as they watch a secret service agent frisking the Queen.