Prince in Oman after denial

The Prince of Wales is visiting Oman today after he dramatically named himself as the senior Royal accused of involvement in an alleged incident witnessed by a servant.

Charles is continuing his tour as planned after the allegation against him was dismissed as "totally ludicrous and, indeed, risible".

Sir Michael Peat, Charles's private secretary, said he had spoken to the Prince who had told him the claim was untrue.

The decision to issue the statement came after weeks of speculation about the allegations made by the former servant and apparently recorded on now missing tapes by the late Diana, Princess of Wales.

Three reasons

The allegation was false for three principle reasons, he said.

"Firstly, the Prince of Wales has told me it is untrue and I believe him implicitly," he said.

"Secondly, anyone who knows the Prince of Wales at all would appreciate that the allegation is totally ludicrous and, indeed, risible.

"And thirdly, the person who has made the allegation unfortunately has suffered from health problems and has made other, unrelated allegations which have been investigated by the police and found to be unsubstantiated."

Sir Michael continued: "Anyone who is a prominent public figure like the Prince of Wales is subject to a fairly steady stream of outlandish allegations.

"Generally they are dismissed out of hand."

Wills and Harry informed

Sir Michael added that Charles's sons, Princes William and Harry, had been kept informed about the situation.

He said: "The sons have been kept informed and are very supportive of their father.

"The Prince of Wales is subject to a lot of fairly ridiculous allegations, most of which never see the light of day.

"I hope this will be treated on its merits and dismissed out of hand ... It's totally untrue.

"Even allegations which are untrue can cause great distress."

Mixed reaction to statement

The decision to release the statement provoked a mixed reaction among Royal watchers.

Public relations guru Max Clifford said there had been no choice but to make it.

"They must have been aware that his name would come into the public arena, with foreign media using it, and people hearing that," he said.

"I can see what they are trying to do - but I don't think it's going to be effective.

"There are more and more accusations and allegations out there, and if they are going to continue just to try to suppress things - which this is another example of - then they are going to find it difficult."

Injunction lifted

The Prince's intervention came after a day of drama at the High Court in London.

Yesterday, an injunction banning The Guardian

The agreement meant that The Guardian could only publish Mr Fawcett's name in relation to him obtaining an injunction against the Mail on Sunday.

That injunction remains in place although the Sunday paper later claimed success in "relaxing the constraints" of the gagging order.

Following a separate High Court hearing in private, a Mail on Sunday spokesman said: "Although parts of the order remain confidential, our application today to vary the terms of the injunction was successful.

"We are now satisfied that the constraints under which we were working have been relaxed in our favour."

It is understood, however, that the paper is unlikely to be able to publish its original story this coming Sunday.