Embargo on royal files 'is absurd'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.(First Edition)
THE 100-YEAR embargo on royal files should be reduced, allowing them to be made public after 30 years, a leading academic expert on Whitehall said last night, writes Anthony Bevins.
Peter Hennessy, Professor of Contemporary History at London University's Queen Mary and Westfield College, said: 'It is absurd that I can see the CIA's 1961 file on the Queen, but not early 1960s material on the Royal Prerogative.'
In a lunchtime talk today, Professor Hennessy will call for a clarification of the monarch's residual and reserve powers to dissolve Parliament and appoint prime ministers.
He wants the principles governing the use of the Queen's powers to be published - along with the historical documents on which they are based - and he will also call for Commons select committee scrutiny of the Royal Prerogative as well as royal finances.
Professor Hennessy believes that scrutiny would probably require the creation of a special joint committee of Parliament, taking members from the select committees on Public Accounts, Treasury and Civil Service, Defence, Foreign Affairs and Home Affairs - and the House of Lords.
'I am as sure as I can be that the monarchy will survive, and I think it should,' he said last night. 'But it would help if a degree of predictability could be achieved on the exercise of the reserve powers. Risk of crisis and any possible politicisation must be removed. Family matters cannot be so organised as to be made more stable and predictable. Constitutional matters can be, and should be.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments