UK PM: Harry will get 'benefit of doubt'

UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown said yesterday that Prince Harry made "a mistake" when he used offensive language to describe people in his military unit but that the public would give him "the benefit of the doubt".

The prince apologised through a spokesman on Saturday after videos surfaced, in which a voice, said to be Harry's, calls a soldier a 'Paki'.

Brown said, "It was a mistake, he has made the admission of that and, once he has made his apology, I think the British people are good enough to give someone who has actually been a role model for young people and has done well fighting for our country, gone into very difficult situations with bravery, I think they will give him the benefit of the doubt."