Duke of York at Centre of New 'Palace for Hire' Row

[cinrit]

The Royal Household last night defended hiring out the ballroom at Buckingham Palace to investment bank  JP Morgan for a lavish dinner hosted by the Duke of York.

The bank paid an undisclosed fee to hire the ballroom and made donations to the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and the Royal Ballet, which provided entertainment.  Among the 100 guests were banking executives, Tony Blair, former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Indian industrialist Ratan Tata.

A Palace spokeswoman said the event was part of Prince Andrew's ongoing work to 'support British prosperity'.

But Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said: 'I understand the Palace needs to cut costs and raise money, but dining there should be a privilege rather than being open to the highest bidder. 'The security implications are also an issue.'

More: Duke of York at centre of new 'palace for hire' row | Mail Online

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