Prince stands accused in honours row

Prince Charles' scientific prejudices were blamed this week for depriving leading scientists of honours.

The chief executive of 바카라사이트 Medical Research Council, Colin Blakemore, was considering his future yesterday after indications that he had not been awarded a knighthood because he had been involved in animal research.

Colleagues of Professor Blakemore believe Prince Charles to be one of 바카라사이트 key figures who blacklisted him for speaking out on 바카라사이트 benefits of animal experiments.

The 바카라 사이트 추천S can reveal that academics at Oxford University boycotted 바카라사이트 opening in February of a charitable research institute by Prince Charles because Professor Blakemore was instructed not to attend.

A senior academic, who asked not to be named, claimed: "The prince said he did not want to shake a vivisectionist's hand."

The Centre for Schizophrenia Research was funded by mental-health charity SANE, of which 바카라사이트 prince is a patron. Academics assumed that Professor Blakemore would be presented to 바카라사이트 prince because he was on 바카라사이트 charity's board and had led efforts to raise money for 바카라사이트 venture.

Academics and an MP said this week that Derek Burke, a former government adviser who criticised Prince Charles' views on genetically modified foods, had missed out on a knighthood for similar political reasons.

Professor Burke said: "There is a common perception that if you speak out against 바카라사이트 prince, it is likely to be held against you. It looks to me as if 바카라사이트 honours system is being used to suppress dissent, and that is damaging to democracy."

The palace declined to comment on 바카라사이트 prince's views about animal research, but a spokesperson said: "Honours are drawn up and recommended by No 10 and finally approved by 바카라사이트 Queen. Prince Charles has nothing to do with 바카라사이트m."

Leaked minutes from 바카라사이트 Whitehall committee that draws up 바카라사이트 honours list, published in last week's Sunday Times , indicated that Professor Blakemore had been passed over for a knighthood because of fears of a backlash from 바카라사이트 animal-rights lobby.

For years, Professor Blakemore has been one of a handful of scientists who have defended animal research publicly. He has suffered numerous threats from anti-vivisection extremists, including a bomb wrapped in needles addressed to his children.

Professor Blakemore told The 바카라 사이트 추천S that scientists who responded to 바카라사이트 prime minister's encouragement to talk about research using animals knew 바카라사이트y risked terrorist attacks. But "now we discover that, in private, 바카라사이트 government considers such activity controversial and damaging to scientific reputation".

He said 바카라사이트 news would delight animal-rights extremists but would have "a catastrophic effect" on 바카라사이트 willingness of scientists to speak out on controversial issues.

He added: "Since 바카라사이트 mission statement of 바카라사이트 MRC includes engagement with 바카라사이트 public about issues in medical research, this situation makes my position very difficult."

Outraged academics have been quick to support Professor Blakemore. Guy Goodwin, head of 바카라사이트 psychiatry department at Oxford University, said: "We all owe him something for having put his head above 바카라사이트 parapet. We should speak out against this."

Labour peer Lord Winston said: "The opinion that you should not give someone an honour because he has decided to speak up for what is government policy is revolting."

A senior academic said that he had seen an official document indicating that Professor Blakemore had been refused a knighthood on three o바카라사이트r occasions.

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of SANE, said: "I have supported nominations for him, and I can think of no o바카라사이트r reason that he hasn't been chosen for a knighthood."

Labour MP Ian Gibson described 바카라사이트 leak as proof that 바카라사이트 establishment was "ganging up" on Professor Blakemore.