Prince Andrew has hit the headlines again – this time after being accused of using a racial slur in a meeting at Buckingham Palace.
Ex-No10 aide Rohan Silva claimed the Duke of York used the phrase ‘n***** in the woodpile’ – an offensive term for a hidden menace.
Palace sources categorically denied Andrew ever used the phrase, insisting he would never use such language, the London Evening Standard reported.
But it may interest readers to know there is another person in public life who did hit headlines for using that archaic phrase.
And in a strange turn of fate, she’s currently a Tory candidate in the general election .
Anne Marie Morris apologised and was suspended by the Tories in 2017 after she was recorded using the phrase at an otherwise innocuous meeting.
But she was reinstated to the party later that year and has now been reselected as the Tory candidate for Newton Abbott.
Ms Morris, who had been an MP for nine years, seems likely to keep her seat in Parliament as her majority is a rock-solid 17,160.
She is standing against the Green Party, Labour and Lib Dems, as well as Independent candidate David Halpin.
Ms Morris made the original comment during a talk on post- Brexit deals at the East India Club in Central London organised by the Politeia think tank.
She was heard to say: “And then we get to the real n***** in the woodpile which is in two years what happens if there is no deal?”
She said in 2017: “I would like to take this opportunity to apologise again for using such inappropriate and offensive language. It was a mistake and I regret it unreservedly.
“I have learned from this experience and have a new determination to uphold the highest possible standards in public life.
“I feel proud and privileged to be a member of parliament and I will continue to serve my community and my country to the best of my ability.”