Labour MP who mocked Prince Harry's military service admits she got her facts wrong but says she was 'just poking fun'

The Labour MP who mocked Prince Harry's military service has admitted she got her facts wrong but insisted she was "just poking fun."

Emma Dent Coad, the MP for Kensington, embarked on an extraordinary rant in which she accused Prince Philip of cheating on the Queen and then criticised Prince Harry's military service, declaring, also incorrectly, that he cannot fly helicopters.

Speaking to the London Evening Standard, she said: “I actually also said, ‘I have been told this [about Prince Harry], but if I have made a mistake I will hold my hands up’.”

On her accusation that Prince Philip had affairs, she said: “Oh no, shock horror. I’m not going to respond to that, everyone knows what’s going on... I don’t want to get into the detail of it because it’s got out of hand.

“I was talking about whether taxpayers should fund the royal family. 

“I was just poking fun. But we need a proper debate about the royal family. It’s about taxpayer funding. Why are taxpayers funding them? Why can’t I disagree? It seems like we are not allowed to have an opinion.

"I’m being called everything under the sun this morning, getting all sorts of vile abuse. This has opened the gates to hell. ”

Despite Ms Dent Coad's comments at a fringe event at the party's annual conference drawing criticism, shadow education secretary Angela Rayner declined to call for her to apologise.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, Ms Rayner said: "We are a party where people hold different views... she's entitled to her opinion."

Emma Dent Coad

In response to Ms Dent Coad's comments, John Woodcock, the former chairman of the backbench defence committee, made a public apology. 

Mr Woodcock said her remarks do not represent the views of the party. He wrote on Twitter: "I am really sorry this has happened."

Addressing a meeting entitled Reigning in the Monarchy, Ms Dent Coad is quoted as saying: "Harry can't actually fly a helicopter...

"He tried to pass the helicopter exam about four times and he couldn't get through it at all so he always goes for the co-pilot. So he just sits there going 'vroom vroom'."

Ms Dent Coad reportedly said that Harry and his brother William were "not very bright", adding: "Just let them drift away, be playboys or whatever."

Mr Woodcock responded on Twitter: "The highly inaccurate comments reportedly made by one of our colleagues, which disparage Prince Harry's military service, in no way reflect the views of my party.

"Like everyone who put themselves in harm's way to keep us safe, His Royal Highness deserves nothing but praise and respect for his service in the armed forces.

"In addition to his tours of duty in Afghanistan, Prince Harry inspires so many by the way he champions injured, ill and wounded servicemen and women through the Invictus Games which he founded.

"I am really sorry that this has happened."

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Ms Rayner said Ms Dent Coad's views were not shared by everyone in the Labour party.

She said: "It's never been a secret that in the Labour party there are people who are anti-royalist. 

"I personally feel the current generation - Prince Harry, Prince William and Kate - have done the royal family proud.

"Our view as the Labour party in general is that the royal family do contribute to Britain."

Emma Dent Coad on Good Morning Britain

Asked on Sky News whether Ms Dent Coad should apologise, Ms Rayner said: "Emma has to respond to what her comments are, but I'm absolutely clear that the monarchy is here and they are going to be around for a long time and William and Harry actually have made them much more trendier than they have been for a long time, dare I say it.

"I think that Harry's been doing a fantastic job, especially with regard to our veterans."