The Queen was on Sunday reported to be “furious” over the involvement of a British firm in an alleged financial scam surrounding the forthcoming Delhi Commonwealth Games following accusations that it was paid £250,000 for hiring vehicles and other equipment for a function held at Buckingham Palace last year.
It was stated that the Palace was concerned at being “dragged’’ into the affair, now at the centre of an investigation by Britain’s tax and revenues department, and in India by the Central Vigilance Commission.
While there has been no official comment from the Palace, SundayExpress , a British tabloid, claimed that the Queen was said to be in “cold fury’’.
"Privately Her Majesty is understood to be in a 'cold fury' over the affair, which she sees as besmirching the symbolic baton,’’ it said.
According to the newspaper, the Palace believed that the baton which bears a message from the Queen and is carried by runner around the world, had been "sullied by claims it has been used by a U.K. firm to cash in on the Royal brand’’.
The firm involved in the row is London-based AM Films UK which, it is alleged, was paid exorbitant rates for providing cars and other services for the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay last October.
The Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi claims that the company was hired at the recommendation of the Indian High Commission in London but the emails he produced in support of his claim were fake, it is alleged.
The High Comission has denied any involvement and said it is “actively’’ looking into the matter.
Three senior committee members have resigned or been suspended.
The Sunday Express quoted a “diplomatic source in India’’ as saying:
“The Queen’s goodwill in launching the baton in London has led to her being caught up in this matter although she is an innocent party.”
