Drug dealing at Prince's pub

Feb 13, 2006, 14:26 GMT

Police are to investigate reports of drug dealing in a pub frequented by British Princes William and Harry.

The move comes after a claim that an undercover reporter from Britain's The Sun newspaper was offered cocaine and ecstasy at the Tunnel House Inn near Cirencester, Gloucestershire.

The newspaper said its reporter set up a deal to buy cocaine at the pub while Prince William and his girlfriend Kate Middleton sat close by, enjoying a night out on Saturday.

William was on a weekend break from Sandhurst Military Academy, where he is training to become an Army officer.

The 23-year-old future King and Princess Anne's daughter Zara Phillips were both in the country pub, near Prince Charles' Highgrove House estate.

Gloucestershire Police confirmed they had received reports of drug dealing at the pub in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The pub's landlord, Andrew Freeland, said he was 'furious' about the claims.

He told the Press Association: 'Whatever went on on Saturday night, whether true or untrue, it's not good.

'I'll be furious if it is true. If I had known about it I would have called the police myself. I certainly don't condone drug use.'

A regular at the pub is quoted in Britain's The Sun newspaper as saying: 'The Princes are here a lot, Harry more than William. Nobody bothers them.

'William always behaves himself but Harry can be a real arrogant w*****. He really thinks he's something else.'

A senior Royal source said: 'The implications of this investigation are extremely serious.

'The Prince of Wales will be furious that either of his sons would be exposed to this kind of illegal behaviour.

'The mere fact the future King was surrounded by people taking drugs will be completely unacceptable.'

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