Secret royal veto powers over new laws to be exposed

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Information commissioner orders release of guide to how Queen and Prince Charles must be consulted before laws are passed 

Prince Charles views work on a property bought by the Duchy of Cornwall

 

Prince Charles views work on a property bought by the Duchy of Cornwall which, along with the Queen, must be consulted before laws are passed to ensure they don’t adversely affect their private interests. Photograph: Tim Graham/Getty Images

A little-known power enjoyed by the Queen and Prince of Wales to alter new laws is due to be exposed after the government lost a legal battle to keep details of its application private.

The information commissioner has ruled that the Cabinet Office must publish an internal Whitehall guide to the way the senior royals are consulted before legislation is introduced to ensure it does not harm their private interests.

The application of the controversial veto was revealed by the Guardianlast year and has been described by constitutional lawyers as "a royal nuclear deterrent". Some believe it may underpin the influence Prince Charles appears to wield in Whitehall over pet issues ranging from architecture to healthcare.

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