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Charles denies bid to influence sex abuse inquiry

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Prince Charles has denied that he tried to influence a police investigation into disgraced bishop Peter Ball.

In written evidence to a child sex abuse inquiry, the heir to the throne said claims by a former police officer that he "came under pressure" as a result of interest from himself were "untrue" and argued there was "a gap between rumour and fact".

The Prince of Wales also revealed that following his resignation as bishop of Gloucester, he had sent Ball's and his brother "small gifts of money" and also assisted them in getting one of his Duchy of Cornwall property's.

He said: "It remains a source of deep personal regret that I was one of many who were deceived over a long period of time about the true nature of Mr Ball's activities."

The written statement from Charles was read out during the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) investigation as it examines how allegations against the former Church of England bishop were handled.

Now 86, the former bishop of Lewes and then Gloucester was jailed for 32 months in October 2015 for sexually abusing 18 young men over 30 years. He was released in February last year after serving half his sentence behind bars.

Ball, who boasted of his links to royalty and was said to be a confidant of the Prince of Wales, had accepted a caution for one count of gross indecency in 1993 and resigned due to ill health.

Prince Charles said he was unaware of the true nature of the clergyman's behaviour until more than 20 years after allegations first surfaced.

In his statement he said he was not aware of the "significance or impact" of the caution when Ball mentioned it in a letter in 2009, and that he did not know until recently that a caution carries an acceptance of guilt.

He said: "At no stage did I ever seek to influence the outcome of either of the police investigations into Peter Hall and nor did I instruct or encourage my staff to do so."

The future king added: "It is always possible my name was taken in vain, as can unfortunately happen from time to time.

"As I make clear… there is a gap between rumour and fact."

He went on: "In conclusion, I would like to state that, throughout my life, my position has occasionally brought me into contact with prominent people who have subsequently been accused of serious wrong-doing.

"Rather than rushing to private judgment, I have always taken the view that the judicial process should take its course.

"I am then able to ground my opinions in facts tested by law, rather than hearsay.

"It follows that I ceased contact with Mr Ball once the judicial process had concluded and he was found guilty of serious offences against young people.

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"My heart goes out to the victims of abuse and i applaud their courage as they rebuild their lives and, so often, offer invaluable support to others who have suffered it."

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